SCOTLAND

BAE Systems

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date he was informed that the Ministry of Defence had asked BAE Systems to consider the implications of reducing the number of aircraft carriers from two to one or zero.

Michael Moore: The Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) includes an examination of all major equipment and support contracts. The Government need to ensure the future programme is both coherent with future defence needs and affordable. I am in regular contact with colleagues on the progress of the SDSR.

BAE Systems

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date he met the Secretary of State for Defence to discuss the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers following the confirmation by BAE that it had been asked by the Ministry of Defence to consider the possibility of cancelling one or both ships.

Michael Moore: I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence on all matters relating to the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), including the future of the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carriers. I will continue to engage with both Cabinet colleagues and Scottish stakeholders throughout the SDSR process, in order to best represent the strategic and economic benefits that flow from Scotland's defence installations and associated industries.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what severance payments have been paid to  (a) Ministers and  (b) special advisers in his Department who left office after the last general election.

David Mundell: The information is as follows:
	 (a) I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Mr Maude) on 5 July 2010,  Official Report, column 55W, which lists the total severance payments made to Ministers from each Department who left office following the general election.
	 (b) The Government publish annually the total cost of special advisers in the form of a written ministerial statement by the Prime Minister. The total cost of severance paid out to special advisers who left office after the last general election will be published in due course.

Departmental Welfare Milk

Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  whether he had discussions with  (a) the Department of Health and  (b) the Prime Minister or his officials on the proposal to end the nursery milk scheme;
	(2)  when his Department was first informed of the proposal by the Department of Health to end the nursery milk scheme; and whether his Department received a copy of the letter from the Health Minister to the Scottish Executive on the proposal.

Michael Moore: The Prime Minister signalled his disapproval of this proposal on August 8, which will not now be implemented.

Housing Benefit

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 9 September 2010,  Official Report, columns 617-18W, on housing benefit, which  (a) housing association,  (b) local authorities and  (c) non-governmental organisations he met during July and August 2010 to discuss the effects of the proposed changes in housing benefit; and on what date each meeting was held.

Michael Moore: Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and voluntary sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Official Visits

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 9 September 2010,  Official Report, column 618W, on official visits, which local authority areas  (a) he and  (b) the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland visited during August 2010.

Michael Moore: Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Ports: Police

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 9 September 2010,  Official Report, column 618W, on ports: police, whether he has discussed the removal of UK Border Agency funding for three police posts at Stranraer port of arrival in his regular meetings with ministerial colleagues; how many such meetings have taken place since his appointment; on what dates the meetings took place; and which ministerial colleagues were present.

Michael Moore: I have both written to, and spoken with, the Minister of State for Immigration to raise this issue. As was the case with the previous Administration, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such ministerial meetings.

Ports: Police

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 9 September 2010,  Official Report, column 618W, on ports: police, how many  (a) oral and  (b) written representations (i) he and (ii) the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland has made to the Home Office on the withdrawal of funding for three police posts at Stranraer port.

Michael Moore: I have both written to, and spoken with, the Minister of State for Immigration to raise this issue. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State will be meeting personally with representatives from relevant authorities in the coming weeks.

Ports: Police

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 9 September 2010,  Official Report, column 618W, on ports: police, whether  (a) he and  (b) the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland plans to visit Stranraer port in the next three months.

Michael Moore: The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I have plans to visit many areas of Scotland in the course of our duties in the next three months. We are continually engaging with the relevant people on this matter.

Ports: Police

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 9 September 2010,  Official Report, column 618W, on ports: police, how many meetings he has had on the decision to withdraw UK Border Agency funding for police posts at Stranraer with  (a) the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland,  (b) the Secretary of State for the Home Department,  (c) other Home Office Ministers,  (d) the UK Border Agency,  (e) Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary and  (f) Ministers in the Scottish Executive.

Michael Moore: Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a wide range of corporate partners to discuss issues which affect Scotland. I last met with the Minister of State for Immigration last week and we discussed the issue of the policing of Scottish ports.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agricultural Wages Board

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which external organisations she consulted prior to taking the decision to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB); and what consultation she plans to undertake on the arrangements to be put in place after the abolition of the AWB.

James Paice: There were no specific discussions with external organisations prior to the announcement by the Secretary of State, but views within the industry on the future of the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) have been well known for many years, in particular those of the National Farmers' Union and Unite which represent employers and workers on the AWB. The abolition of the board will require amendments to primary legislation and therefore will be subject to proper parliamentary scrutiny and debate.
	We intend to discuss with interested parties practical approaches to wage-setting in agriculture in the absence of the agricultural minimum wage and how workers can be best informed of their contractual rights after the AWB has been abolished.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate she has made of the monetary value of the contribution to the agricultural economy of  (a) the EU Single Payment scheme and  (b) countryside stewardship and other environmental schemes relating to farming practices funded by her Department.

James Paice: Around £1.87 billion was paid to farmers in England under the 2009 single payment scheme. Around £350 million was paid out under the agri-environment schemes funded by DEFRA in 2009-10.

Departmental Chief Scientific Advisers

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions each Minister in her Department has met her Department's chief scientific officer since 6 May 2010.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA Ministers meet with the chief scientific adviser (or when on leave an appointed deputy) on a regular, usually weekly, basis in the normal course of business in both policy formulation and departmental management. There would be a disproportionate cost to work out every specific occasion/time which each of the Ministers met the departmental scientific adviser between the 6 May and today.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department spent on hospitality for events hosted by each Minister in the Department in each of the last three years.

Richard Benyon: There is no central combined record of the cost of hospitality for events hosted by Ministers and paid for from central budgets or any hospitality costs associated with other departmental activities at which Ministers may have been involved. To identify such instances and the apportionment of any costs to the level of ministerial involvement would incur disproportionate cost.

Departmental Public Consultation

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to increase the involvement of young members of the public in the making of decisions that affect them by  (a) Ministers in her Department,  (b) officials in her Department and  (c) public bodies which fall within her Department's area of responsibility.

Richard Benyon: The Department, and our network of delivery bodies and agencies, are committed to involving those affected by our policies in their design and development. This includes young people, schools, and student and other representative bodies.
	The Department's Consumer Representatives Group includes young people's representatives and feeds into decisions on key policy areas. As part of citizen engagement under the Big Society, we will look to ensure that staff in core DEFRA, and our delivery bodies, increase networking opportunities with young members of the public. We also have specific projects with young people, to promote environmental behaviours and gain their insights. The Greener Living Fund works with civil society partners to engage their members and communities in living more sustainable lifestyles. This includes a project working with the National Union of Students to develop and deliver activity to encourage students to adopt more environmentally friendly behaviours.
	We will continue to look for the best ways to work in partnership with all those affected by our policies and services so that our essential objectives are met.

Kosher Meat: EU Action

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will meet representatives of the Jewish community to discuss the effect on that community of proposed EU regulations on labelling kosher meat; and if she will make a statement.

James Paice: The Government are still considering their position in relation to the recent vote in the European Parliament on the provision of food information to consumers and the proposed requirement to indicate the method of slaughter where an animal has been slaughtered without prior stunning. Currently, there is no statutory obligation to indicate the method of slaughter on meat labels. However, the EU Commission is looking at the introduction of standardised welfare indicators and an EU wide welfare labelling scheme, although it is not yet clear how religious slaughter practices will be reflected in any new arrangements. We will ensure full consultation, including with religious groups, on any proposals that may emerge.

Lighting: Climate Change

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the contribution of energy-efficient light bulbs to reducing climate change.

James Paice: The public consultation on saving energy through better products and appliances is the latest analysis and assessment for a range of energy-using products and appliances. This was published by DEFRA on 17 December 2009 and included an assessment of CO2 savings from more energy efficient domestic (Annex 5) and non-domestic (Annex 10) lighting.
	The consultation document is available at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/energy-using-products/index.htm

Special Protection Areas: Dungeness

Damian Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place in the Library a copy of the advice her Department has received from Natural England on extension of the Dungeness Special Protection Area.

Richard Benyon: A copy of Natural England's initial formal advice on the extensions of the Dungeness Special Protection Area (SPA), which is subject to consultation, will be placed in the Library shortly.

Stray Dogs

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average cost to local authorities was of dealing with stray dogs in each of the last five years.

James Paice: DEFRA does not hold this information, which is kept by each individual local authority and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost to the Department.

Unadopted Drains

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to bring forward proposals to require water companies to take responsibility for unadopted drains.

Richard Benyon: We published draft regulations for consultation on 26 August, with a view to transferring private sewers and lateral drains that drain to the public sewerage system into the ownership of the statutory sewerage companies in England from October 2011. The consultation paper sets out the Government's intentions and provides an opportunity for interested parties to respond with their views on the accompanying draft regulations.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what severance payments have been paid to  (a) Ministers and  (b) special advisers in his Department who left office after the last general election.

John Penrose: On severance payments made to Ministers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office to the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) on 5 July 2010,  Official Report, column 55W.
	The total cost of special advisers is published annually in the form of a written ministerial statement by the Prime Minister.

Gay Games: Greater London

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what discussions his Department has had with the organisers of the bid for the Gay Games in 2018 on availability of Olympic facilities for use should London host the games;
	(2)  what support his Department has offered the organisers of the bid for London to host the Gay Games in 2018; and what further support it intends to provide.

Hugh Robertson: I have recently offered my support to the possibility of the Gay Games coming to London in 2018 in a letter to the co-ordinator of the bid, Jonathan Harbourne.
	The coalition Government are committed to the promotion of sport at all levels, for any gender or sexual orientation-from the Olympics, through to grassroots, community, clubs and local competitions.
	This Department has not discussed the availability of Olympic facilities with the organisers of the bid for the 2018 Gay Games in London. The Olympic Park Legacy Company and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will have responsibility for the Olympic facilities post 2012 and the organisers will therefore need to discuss availability with them.

Horserace Betting Levy Board: Legal Costs

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much the Horserace Betting Levy Board has spent on external legal advice in each of the last five years.

John Penrose: The Department does not collate this information for its arm's length bodies. Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive of the Horserace Betting Levy Board to write to my hon. Friend.
	Copies of the reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what severance payments have been paid to  (a) Ministers and  (b) special advisers in his Department who left office after the last general election.

Owen Paterson: The Department paid its outgoing Minister £10,162 and special adviser £28,520 in severance payments after the last general election in accordance with section 5 of the Ministerial and other Pensions Salaries Act 1991, and the provisions set out in the model contract for special advisers.
	The previous Secretary of State was unsalaried and did not receive a severance payment.

WALES

Departmental Communication

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what instructions have been issued by the private office of each Minister in her Department on the preparation of briefing, speeches and replies to official correspondence.

David Jones: Wales Office officials refer to a standardised template when preparing briefing, speeches and replies to official correspondence.

Departmental Pay

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was paid in remuneration in total to civil servants in her Department in 2009-10.

David Jones: In total, £2,537,337.87 was paid as remuneration to civil servants by the Wales Office in 2009-10. This includes pay, employer pension contributions and national insurance payments, as well as any taxable benefits and non-consolidated performance related payments.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what severance payments have been paid to  (a) Ministers and  (b) special advisers in her Department who left office after the last general election.

David Jones: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the response by my hon. Friend the Paymaster General to the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) on 5 July 2010,  Official  Report, column 55W, which lists the total severance payments made to Ministers from each Department who left office following the general election.
	The Government publish annually the total cost of special advisers in the form of a written ministerial statement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. The total cost of severance paid out to special advisers who left office after the last general election will be published in due course.

Future Jobs Fund

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on the operation of the Future Jobs Fund in Wales.

David Jones: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State and I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on helping people back into work in Wales.
	Our focus is on getting people back into permanent employment rather than providing temporary publicly-funded work placements. The Single Work Programme will replace existing back to work programmes including the future jobs fund.

Police: Elections

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 
	(1)  what discussions she has had with the police authorities in Wales on the introduction of directly-elected police commissioners;
	(2)  what discussions she has had with the Welsh Local Government Association on the introduction of directly-elected police commissioners in Wales.

David Jones: I have met with police authorities in Wales and the Welsh Local Government Association to discuss the introduction of directly-elected Police and Crime Commissioners, and will continue to meet with them and other stakeholders.

HEALTH

Autism: Children

Gavin Barwell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to improve mental health services for children with autism; and whether he intends to produce a strategy document for children with autism similar to his Department's Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives strategy for adults with autism.

Paul Burstow: We are committed to fulfilling the requirements of the Autism Act 2009 with the aim of addressing the disadvantages that children, young people and adults with autism can experience. We have also commissioned the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to produce clinical guidelines on autism in adults and children.
	Staff working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) should have the necessary values, competencies, skills, and ongoing training to enable them to recognise and respond to the identified needs of children, including those with autism. Departmental officials are looking at what might need to. be done to ensure CAMHS offer proper support to those with autism spectrum disorders.
	Earlier this month we announced that we are developing a cross Government mental health strategy. This will cover children and young people as well as adults and older people. The identification and treatment children and young people with mental health problems is particularly important as half of all lifetime mental health problems begin by age 14. The new strategy will set the direction for service improvement for all children and young people experiencing poor mental health.

Bone Cancer: Medical Treatments

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of NHS patient access to ultra orphan treatments for rare forms of bone cancer.

Paul Burstow: The Department has made no such assessment. We want to improve health outcomes for all cancer patients, including those with rare bone cancer, by ensuring fast access to high quality treatment. We are also committed to increasing access to cancer drugs through the Cancer Drugs Fund and the additional £50 million funding announced in July 2010.

Broadmoor Hospital

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how frequently prisoners in Broadmoor are assessed for their suitability to return to a prison environment.

Paul Burstow: Prisoners are transferred to high security hospitals for treatment under the Mental Health Act (1983 amended in 2007). Decisions relating to a patient's treatment and any recommendation made to the Ministry of Justice about when it is clinically appropriate to return a patient to prison are for the patient's responsible clinician at the hospital. The timing of assessments is a clinical decision dependent on the patient's condition.

Cancer: Drugs

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether funding may be provided from the interim Cancer Drugs Fund for drugs which are in the process of appraisal by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Simon Burns: Regional panels, led by clinical experts, will decide on the use of the additional funding made available to the national health service in 2010-11 to support improved access to cancer drugs.

Cancer: Medical Treatments

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what his policy is on ensuring that cancer treatment takes place as close to a patient's home as practicable;
	(2)  what his policy is on the establishment by major NHS cancer centres of satellite radiotherapy centres in order to deliver treatment closer to a patient's home; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  if he will issue guidelines on the maximum distance patients should expect to travel to receive regular cancer treatments such as radiotherapy; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: The White Paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS", published on 12 July, explained the Government's intention to create an NHS that is more responsive to patients' needs and achieves better outcomes, including cancer outcomes, that are among the best in the world.
	We know that most cancer patients want to receive as much of their care as possible close to home, and the White Paper set out how we will hold the NHS Commissioning Board to account for delivering better health outcomes through a national NHS Outcomes Framework. A full consultation and engagement process to develop the NHS Outcomes Framework is now under way and will close on 11 October 2010.
	Ministers have asked National Cancer Director, Professor Sir Mike Richards, to lead a review of the "Cancer Reform Strategy" (CRS). The review will align the cancer strategy with the White Paper; set the direction for the next five years, taking account of progress since the CRS was published in December 2007; and show how outcomes can be improved.
	As part of the review, we are considering what support commissioners will need to continue to provide patient centred services in the most appropriate setting. We aim to publish an updated strategy in the winter.
	In its 2007 report, "Radiotherapy: developing a world class service for England", the National Radiotherapy Advisory Group (NRAG) provided clear guidance and recommendations about access to radiotherapy to help commissioners, including the need for establishing satellite centres. A copy of this report has already been placed in the Library.
	Since the publication of the NRAG report and the CRS, the National Cancer Action Team has maintained a national overview of radiotherapy service location plans to advise providers and commissioners on geographical spread and travel times.

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what expenditure Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust incurred on the production of the last nine editions of its quarterly newsletter, Engage;
	(2)  how much Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust spent on the production of its Annual Report for 2009-10.

Simon Burns: This is a matter for the chair of Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. We have written to David Eva informing him of the hon. Member's inquiry. He will reply shortly and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Compulsorily Detained Mental Patients

Margot James: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what proportion of suspects arrested in  (a) England and Wales and  (b) the metropolitan borough of Dudley were diverted to (i) a place of safety and (ii) mental health services in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  what proportion of people in  (a) England and Wales and  (b) the metropolitan borough of Dudley who were taken to a place of safety under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 went on to receive treatment from mental health services in the latest period for which figures are available.

Paul Burstow: This information is not collected centrally.

Dementia

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 30 June 2010,  Official Report, column 566W, on dementia: health services, how many National Dementia Strategy regional roadshows there have been; and at what location each such roadshow was held.

Paul Burstow: The Department has decided to hold a National Dementia Conference on 26 October in place of the regional roadshows that were proposed previously. The conference will bring together the Dementia Champions, the national director of Dementia and other key stakeholders.

Dementia

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of cognitive stimulation therapy as a treatment for dementia;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with  (a) GPs,  (b) the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence,  (c) primary care trusts,  (d) the Care Quality Commission and  (e) Age Concern on increasing the use of cognitive stimulation therapy as a treatment for dementia;
	(3)  whether he has made an estimate of the number of primary care trusts which commissioned cognitive stimulation therapy for those with dementia classified as mild to moderate.

Paul Burstow: The Government believe that it is important that a range of interventions for people with dementia are developed and more research in this area is needed to take this forward. With regard to individual therapies, it is for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to address matters relating to assessments of the clinical effectiveness of various therapies and their use.
	The Department has not made a separate assessment of the effectiveness of cognitive simulation therapy as a treatment and no discussions have been held with general practitioners, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, primary care trusts, the Care Quality Commission and Age UK on increasing the use of cognitive stimulation therapy as a treatment for dementia. Furthermore, there has been no estimation of the number of primary care trusts which commissioned cognitive stimulation therapy for those with dementia classified as mild to moderate.

Dental Services

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the reform of NHS dentistry; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The Government's coalition programme includes a commitment to the introduction of a new dentistry contract that will focus on achieving good dental health and increasing access to national health service dentistry. Proposals will be developed and piloted in consultation with the dental profession, patients and the NHS. We intend to publish pilot proposals by December 2010.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what severance payments have been paid to  (a) Ministers and  (b) special advisers in his Department who left office after the last general election.

Simon Burns: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer my right hon. Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Mr Maude) gave the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) on 5 July 2010,  Official Report, column 55W.
	The total cost of special advisers is published annually in the form of a written ministerial statement by the Prime Minister. The total cost of severance paid out to special advisers who left office after the last general election will be published in due course.

Drugs: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the Peterborough city council area were in receipt of supervised methadone treatment in each quarter since 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: Information is not available in the format requested.
	Methadone is prescribed for a variety of clinical conditions, including the treatment of opioid (heroin) dependency, chronic pain and cough in terminal illness.
	The National Drug Treatment Monitoring System collects information on the number of people receiving substitute prescribing interventions for substance misuse in England, but does not distinguish between methadone and the other drugs such as buprenorphine which are also recommended for that purpose by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence nor does it distinguish between supervised and unsupervised treatment.
	The following table shows the numbers of adults in structured drug treatment (prescribing) in Peterborough between 2005-06 and 2008-09:
	
		
			  Structured drug treatment (prescribing) 
			   Number 
			 2005-06 338 
			 2006-07 559 
			 2007-08 752 
			 2008-09 848 
			  Notes:  The National Drug Treatment Monitoring System operated by the NTA records the type of treatment interventions each person receives, e.g. 'specialist prescribing' (from a specialist drug service) and VGP prescribing' (from their general practitioner). It does not record the medication prescribed.  Source:  The National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) operated by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA)

Epilepsy

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of  (a) care trusts and  (b) healthcare trusts in meeting the needs of patients with epilepsy; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to ensure that healthcare bodies implement the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommendation that epilepsy specialist nurses should be an integral part of the network of care of individuals with epilepsy in its guideline on the diagnosis and management of the epilepsies in adults and children in primary and secondary care;
	(3)  what steps his Department is taking to  (a) improve preventative care for patients with epilepsy and  (b) reduce the costs of hospital admissions of patients with epilepsy.

Paul Burstow: The Department is funding the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to undertake a national clinical audit of the healthcare for children and young people with suspected epileptic seizures. The audit will collect data on the percentage of children with epilepsy with evidence of input by a paediatrician with expertise in epilepsy, and the percentage of children with epilepsy with evidence of input by, or referral to, an epilepsy specialist nurse. Early adopter sites have been able to submit data since January 2010. Other units will be invited to submit data from May 2011.
	It is the responsibility of local health commissioners to ensure that they commission local services to meet the needs of their population. This includes ensuring that all relevant guidelines, including those issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, are able to be implemented where deemed appropriate.
	In future, outcomes, which the national health service will be expected to achieve, will be set via the NHS Outcomes Framework, and the NHS Commissioning Board will hold general practitioner (GP) commissioners to account for delivery through the framework.
	The Quality and Outcomes Framework gives GPs an incentive to identify, treat and help patients manage their epilepsy. The new contracts will have a big impact on the quality and accessibility of primary care services, and help improve preventative care and reduce hospital admissions for those living with epilepsy.

Fats: Health Hazards

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 7 September 2010,  Official Report, column 172, whether he plans to introduce legislation to eliminate trans fat in food.

Anne Milton: We have no plans currently to introduce legislation to eliminate artificial trans fats in foods.
	Voluntary industry-led action has already successfully reduced people's average intakes to well within public health recommendations and the Government are encouraging industry to continue to eliminate artificial trans fats in food.

HIV Infection: Health Services

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of levels of demand for outpatient services for people living with HIV and AIDS in  (a) 2010-11 and  (b) 2011-12.

Anne Milton: The information requested is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Actual and estimated number of HIV-infected individuals seen for HIV care in national health service facilities in the United Kingdom: 2005-11 
			   Number of HIV-infected individuals seen for HIV care 
			 2005 46,714 
			 2006 51,699 
			 2007 56,377 
			 2008 61,110 
			 2009 65,319 
			 2010 (estimated) 70,000 
			 2011 (estimated) 74,600 
			  Notes: 1. HIV-infected individuals include those who were diagnosed with an AIDS-defining illness. 2. HIV-infected individuals include those who were seen for HIV care in both in-patient and out-patient services. 3. The estimated numbers of diagnosed HIV-infected individuals receiving care in 2010 and 2011 (rounded to the nearest 100) have been extrapolated from the number of individuals seen for HIV care in the previous five years. Between 2005 and 2009, the annual increase in the numbers of individuals seen for HIV care has been between 4,200 and 5,000 and the average annual increase has been used to estimate the numbers that will be seen in 2010 and 2011.

Medical Treatments

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether the evidence provided in Appendix A of the Interventional Procedures Guidance Overview Document prepared by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is used by the Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee to determine the safety of a product;
	(2)  how many studies the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence analyses as part of the process for developing Interventional Procedures Guidance; and whether there is a limit on the number of studies which can be analysed as part of that process.

Simon Burns: The information requested is not held by the Department. I have asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to respond directly to the hon. Member with the information requested.

Mount Vernon Hospital: Cancer

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate average journey times for patients resident in Stevenage and North East Hertfordshire receiving cancer treatment at Mount Vernon Hospital.

Paul Burstow: The Department has no plans to make such estimates. However, my hon. Friend may wish to contact the Hertfordshire primary care trust direct for more information.

Orphan Drugs

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanism the Advisory Group for National Specialised Services will use to consider ultra orphan drug treatments for use within the NHS; and what the duration of the review process is likely to be.

Simon Burns: In the majority of cases, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) will continue to appraise new drugs. However, for a small number of drugs where the patient population base is too small for NICE to carry out an appraisal, NICE may send the drug to the Advisory Group for National Specialised commissioning (AGNSS) for consideration. AGNSS will consider the processes and methods to apply when looking at drugs for the treatment of vary rare conditions at its first meeting in late September 2010 and will publish its agreed processes and time frame on the specialised services website at:
	www.specialisedservices.nhs.uk

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on  (a) prescription charges,  (b) the Prescription Pricing Authority and  (c) the NHS Choices website.

Simon Burns: I refer the hon. Member to the written answers I gave her on 13 September 2010,  Official Report, column 781W and 14 September 2010,  Official Report, column 1022W.

Primary Care Trusts

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the merits of a pilot scheme to end primary care trusts and implement GP-led commissioning before 2013; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: We want implementation to be bottom-up, with general practitioner (GP) consortia taking on their new responsibilities as rapidly as possible.
	During 2010-11 we expect GP consortia to begin to form on a shadow basis, building on practice-based commissioning consortia, where they wish, and, where they are ready to do so, begin to take on some responsibilities from primary care trusts (PCTs).
	PCTs will have an important task over the next two years in supporting GP practices to prepare for the new arrangements, including identifying the likely future shape of consortia and enabling them to start taking increasing responsibility for making commissioning decisions on behalf of PCTs.

Spinal Injuries

James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Government plan to establish centres of excellence for the treatment of spinal problems or injuries; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: There are eight centres in England which provide specialised care and treatment for patients with spinal cord injuries. There are no plans to establish any further specialised centres at this stage.

Tobacco: Retail Trade

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will estimate the level of revenue losses for local authorities arising from the closure of retail outlets as a result of a tobacco display ban;
	(2)  if he will estimate the effect of a tobacco display ban on the number of retail outlets in  (a) England,  (b) Sussex,  (c) Brighton and Hove and  (d) Hove constituency.

Anne Milton: We are not aware of any evidence that removing tobacco displays will affect the number of retail outlets. However, we will continue to consider any evidence that emerges about the effects of the legislation in other countries.

DEFENCE

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what severance payments have been paid to  (a) Ministers and  (b) special advisers in his Department who left office after the last general election.

Liam Fox: Information on the severance payments made to individual Ministers and special advisers is protected under the Data Protection Act (1998). However, the total severance paid by the Ministry of Defence to former Ministers who left office after the last general election was £55,546. The figure was contained in our answer given on 5 July 2010,  Official Report, column 55W, to the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart).
	The Government publish annually the total cost of special advisers in the form of a written ministerial statement by the Prime Minister. Cabinet Office advise that the total cost of severance paid out to special advisers who left office after the last general election will be published in due course.

Gibraltar: Armed Forces

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) Army,  (b) Royal Air Force and  (c) Royal Navy personnel there are in Gibraltar.

Nick Harvey: The strength of UK Regular Service personnel as at 1 July 2010 stationed in Gibraltar are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Service  Total number 
			 Army 30 
			 RAF 70 
			 RN 150 
			 British Forces Gibraltar total 250 
		
	
	These figures may vary as personnel change location or are deployed on operations.
	In addition, there are 220 regular members of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, which is locally raised.
	A copy of the Defence Analytical Services and Advice publication TSP 10 (UK Regular Forces Stationed Location) has been placed in the Library of the House.

Parachute Regiment

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is his policy that all of those serving in the Parachute Regiment should be trained as parachutists; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: It is the Government's policy that all Parachute Regiment soldiers are trained as parachutists.

Parachute Regiment

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of each battalion of the Parachute Regiment qualified as parachutists in each of the last five years; and how many members of that Regiment he expects to be trained in  (a) 2010 and  (b) 2011.

Nick Harvey: The number of those members of the Parachute Regiment who qualified as parachutists in each of the last five years are shown in the following table:
	
		
			   Unit 
			   2 Para  3 Para 
			 2005 21 21 
			 2006 63 106 
			 2006 69 68 
			 2008 42 82 
			 2009 80 54 
		
	
	The number of those members of the Parachute Regiment expected to qualify as parachutists in 2010 and 2011 are shown in the following table:
	
		
			   Unit 
			   2 Para  3 Para 
			 Qualified in 2010 to date 74 48 
			 Expected to qualify in remainder of 2010 24 24 
			 Expected to qualify in 2011(1) 109 109 
			 (1) Based on current planning assumptions 
		
	
	I am withholding the information for 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Strategic Defence and Security Review

Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which external organisations the Strategic Security and Defence Review has consulted to date.

Liam Fox: holding answer 16 September 2010
	The Ministry of Defence has engaged a wide variety of external organisations, including NATO, principal UK and international think tanks and academic institutes, trades unions, NGOs, industry organisations, and service veterans' and families' organisations.

Trident

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish studies  (a) commissioned and  (b) undertaken by his Department on the (i) financial cost and (ii) potential savings associated with the development of alternatives to the replacement of the Trident nuclear weapons system in advance of the publication of the value for money review of Trident; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: The 2006 White Paper 'The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent' (Cm 6994) set out the four generic deterrent options (silo, aircraft, ship and submarine) that have been subjected to detailed assessment. It concluded that a deterrent based on surface ships was assessed to be no cheaper than a submarine based deterrent but more vulnerable to attack. Deterrents based on silos or large aircraft were significantly more expensive and also much more vulnerable to attack.
	The coalition Government are committed to retaining a minimum credible nuclear deterrent based on Trident. The value for money review is to ensure that plans to maintain this capability are being taken forward in the most cost-effective manner possible.

Trident

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish studies  (a) commissioned and  (b) undertaken by his Department on the (i) financial costs and (ii) potential savings associated with an extension of the life of the Vanguard submarines beyond five years, in advance of the publication of the value for money review of Trident; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: The value for money review was tasked with examining the programme timetable for the introduction into service of the next generation ballistic missile submarines. It will be considered by the National Security Council. The Council's conclusions will inform the Strategic Defence and Security Review and the comprehensive spending review, which will be published in the autumn.

Trident

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has conducted a review of the UK's policy of maintaining Trident nuclear submarines on continuous at-sea deterrent patrol; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: The Trident value for money review covers value for money, not policy. Against that background, implementing continuous at sea deterrence has always been a matter of acceptable operational risk. The review will test the balance between these risks and the cost of maintaining a continuous at sea deterrence posture.

Trident

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish studies undertaken by his Department on the potential savings associated with taking Trident submarines off continuous at-sea deterrent patrols, in advance of the publication of the value for money review of Trident; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: The Trident Value for Money review covers value for money, not policy. Against that background, implementing continuous at sea deterrence has always been a matter of acceptable operational risk. The review will test the balance between these risks and the cost of maintaining a continuous at sea deterrence posture.
	The review will be considered by the National Security Council. The Council's conclusions will inform the Strategic Defence and Security Review and the comprehensive spending review, which will be published in the autumn.

Trident

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to present to Parliament the annual Trident cost report to update the 2006 White Paper estimate of the capital costs of building a replacement for the Trident nuclear weapons system and the cost of operating a successor system; whether this will be a separate report from the Trident value for money review; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: We are currently planning for Initial Gate decision towards the end of 2010. A report will be published after the Initial Gate decision and, while it will be informed by the Trident Value for Money review, it will be a separate report.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with which countries the UK is collaborating in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Peter Luff: The UK does not currently have any collaborative programmes running in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). We are currently undertaking separate but parallel bilateral studies involving UK industry and industries in France and Italy to explore the feasibility for collaboration with either country. We do however have joint research programmes on UAVs with the US, France, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Electoral Register

Graham Evans: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made on the introduction of individual voter registration.

Mark Harper: On 15 September 2010,  Official Report, columns 883-85, I made a statement to the House outlining the Government's proposed approach to speeding up the implementation of individual electoral registration. As I said in that statement, we plan to legislate to introduce individual registration during the lifetime of this Parliament, in 2014, I also announced that we will be trialling data matching during 2011-that is comparing the electoral register with other public databases to find the people missing from the register. The aim is to tackle under registration among specific groups and ensure that every opportunity is available to those currently not on the electoral register.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Ahmadiyya: Discrimination

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to tackle discrimination against Ahmadiyya Muslims in the UK.

Andrew Stunell: CLG officials have met representatives of the Ahmadiyya community on a number of occasions to discuss issues of concern including harassment of the Ahmadiyya and issues of discrimination.
	Current legislation and the Equality Act 2010 which replaces it both protect people from discrimination because of their religion or belief. In addition, the UK is a signatory to the European convention on human rights and article 9 provides the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Connaught

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what contracts between his Department and Connaught plc have been cancelled since May 2010.

Grant Shapps: The Department has not cancelled any contracts with Connaught plc since May 2010.

Connaught

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to provide support to tenants of housing associations affected by the entry into administration of Connaught plc.

Grant Shapps: Housing associations are well aware of the risk of a contractor ceasing to trade and most have contingencies in place to ensure that they can continue to deliver the services expected by their tenants. The National Housing Federation are monitoring the situation closely to assess the impact on tenants and landlords since Connaught plc ceased trading.

Departmental Public Bodies

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to retain arm's length management organisations with their existing functions.

Grant Shapps: It is for councils to decide locally in consultation with their tenants on the housing management functions that are delegated to their arm's length management organisations (ALMOs).

Fire Services

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment he has made of the merits of proposals for the regionalisation of the control centres; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: The Government are becoming increasingly concerned at the inability of EADS to deliver on its contractual obligations to a sufficient quality and time and we have made this clear to them in no uncertain terms.
	FiReControl, as with all Government projects, is being reviewed, to ensure value for money for the taxpayer. We are not going to provide additional public funding to bail out this contract.
	The Government are committed to ensuring value-for-money for the taxpayer, improving resilience and stopping the forced regionalisation of the fire service.

Local Government

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans his Department has for the creation of single member wards for local authorities.

Bob Neill: We have no plans to impose single member wards for councils. Councils' electoral arrangements are matters for the independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England, which may undertake an electoral review with the intention to provide, as far as is practical, single member wards following a request from the council concerned. Single member wards can help enhance democratic accountability, but this should be a matter for local determination.

Local Government Finance

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on council tax precepts for parish councils in 2011-12.

Bob Neill: In 2011-12, parish councils will continue to be entitled to set precepts, and the Government do not intend to seek powers to limit the amount of those precepts in that year. The Government expect town and parish councils to budget prudently to take account of views of local people on how their money is spent.

Local Government: Greater Manchester

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he has assessed the merits of a directly-elected mayoral model for the proposed Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Bob Neill: Our policy, as set out in the draft Structural Reform Plan published by my Department on 8 July, is to legislate through the Localism Bill for directly elected mayors to enable the largest 12 cities in England to have mayors from 2012, subject to confirmatory referendums and full scrutiny by elected councillors.

Multiple Occupation

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent estimate he has made of the number of  (a) registered and  (b) unregistered houses in multiple occupation (i) nationally and (ii) in Milton Keynes.

Andrew Stunell: The most recent estimate of the number of licensable houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) is from the Building Research Establishment report published by Communities and Local Government in January 2010. The report estimates that up to about 56,000 HMOs may be subject to mandatory licensing.
	There is no statutory requirement for local authorities to provide Communities and Local Government with data on the number of licensed and unlicensed HMOs. However, some local authorities voluntarily supply data on the number of licensed HMOs through Communities and Local Government's Register of Licensed Houses in Multiple Occupation (ROLHMO). A copy of the most recent details of licensed HMOs obtained through this Register, including those of Milton Keynes Council have been placed in the Library of the House.
	The figures are as reported by local authorities to Communities and Local Government. There are concerns about the quality and robustness of the data. Definitive numbers of licensed HMOs are available directly from the registers held by local authorities.

Multiple Occupation: Fires

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of deaths attributable to a fire in an unregistered house in multiple occupation in each of the last five years.

Bob Neill: Fire incident records have only had the facility of a separate category for households in multiple occupation since the introduction of the Incident Recording System, which went live nationally on 1 April 2009. Fire incident data are currently available to the end of March 2010, hence the numbers of fatalities recorded by Fire and Rescue Service personnel to be in households in multiple occupation by licence status are shown in the table for 2009-10.
	
		
			  Fatalities attributable to fire in households in multiple occupation by licence status, England, 2009-10 
			  License status  Fatal casualties 
			 Unlicensed 3 
			 Licensed 5 
			  Source:  Incident Recording System, Communities and Local Government

Renewable Energy: Heating

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether calculation of the carbon footprint of heat pumps for the purposes of  (a) Building Regulations,  (b) Standard Assessment Procedure 2009 and  (c) the Code for Sustainable Homes includes provision for consumption and leakage of hydrofluorocarbons.

Andrew Stunell: None of the calculations of the carbon footprint of heat pumps for the purposes of the Building Regulations, SAP 2009 or the Code for Sustainable Homes include provision for the consumption and leakage of hydrofluorocarbons.

PRIME MINISTER

Appointments Commission

David Blunkett: To ask the Prime Minister how public appointments will be made following the decision to close the Appointments Commission.

David Cameron: Public appointments will continue to be made by Departments on merit following fair and open competition and, where appropriate, in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Departmental Chief Scientific Advisers

Julian Huppert: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions he has met the chief scientific adviser since 6 May 2010.

David Cameron: I have regular meetings with ministerial colleagues, officials and others.

Gordon Brown: Redundancy Pay

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Prime Minister what severance payment was made to  (a) the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath and  (b) each of his special advisers on leaving office after the last general election.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 5 July 2010,  Official Report , column 55W. The total cost of severance paid out to special advisers who left office after the last general election will be published in due course.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Atos Healthcare

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what contracts his Department has signed with Atos to carry out the retesting and transition of incapacity benefit claimants to employment and support allowance; what the monetary value of each contract is; and what changes have been made to such arrangements since the present administration took office.

Chris Grayling: I have given approval for the retesting and transition of incapacity benefit claimants to employment and support allowance to be added to the existing medical services contract with Atos Healthcare up to 31 August 2012 at a cost of £59 million. There have been no changes made to such arrangements since the present administration took office.

Departmental Motor Vehicles

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the annual expenditure on vehicles of  (a) his Department and  (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which he is responsible in each English region was in the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is in each case for 2010-11.

Chris Grayling: Total vehicle expenditure for DWP, Executive agencies and its non-departmental public bodies is provided in the following tables.
	
		
			  Vehicle spot hire 
			  £ 
			   2007-08( 1)  2008-09  2009-10 
			 Department for Work and Pensions 433,250 881,544 1,040,971 
			 Jobcentre Plus 552,554 1,241,344 1,384,919 
			 The Pensions, Disability and Carers Service 31,723 60,150 363,473 
			 The Pension Service 310,481 445,235 n/a 
			 The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission n/a 353,466 244,567 
			 Child Support Agency. 219,139 n/a n/a 
			 Health and Safety Executive 214,564 260,286 298,022 
			 Independent Living Fund 2,481 1,514 2,468 
			 Disabled Living Allowance Advisory Board 0 0 0 
			 Disability Employment Advisory Committee 0 0 0 
			 Equality 2005 0 0 0 
			 Industrial Injuries Advisory council 0 0 0 
			 National Employment Savings Trust 0 0 0 
			 Pension Ombudsman/Pension Protection Delivery Fund Ombudsman 0 0 0 
			 Pension Protection Fund 0 0 0 
			 Social Security Advisory Committee 0 0 0 
			 The Pensions Advisory Service 0 0 0 
			 The Pensions Regulator (2)- (2)- (2)- 
		
	
	
		
			  Vehicle lease 
			  £ 
			   2007-08( 1)  2008-09  2009-10 
			 Department for Work and Pensions 4,139,972 9,772,840 5,153,756 
			 Jobcentre Plus 838,990 406,156 4,673,959 
			 The Pensions, Disability and Carers Service 74,426 72,228 1,607,844 
			 The Pension Service 151,583 50,000 n/a 
			 The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission n/a 42,188 689,076 
			 Child Support Agency 79,850 n/a n/a 
			 Health and Safety Executive 1,110,178 997,745 899,128 
			 Independent Living Fund 0 2,800 6,923 
			 Disabled Living Allowance Advisory Board 0 0 0 
			 Disability Employment Advisory Committee 0 0 0 
			 Equality 2005 0 0 0 
			 Industrial Injuries Advisory council 0 0 0 
			 National Employment Savings Trust 0 0 0 
			 Pension Ombudsman/Pension Protection Delivery Fund Ombudsman 0 0 0 
			 Pension Protection Fund 0 0 0 
			 Social Security Advisory Committee 0 0 0 
			 The Pensions Advisory Service 0 0 0 
			 The Pensions Regulator (2)- (2)- (2)- 
			 (1) 2007-08 data includes the Government Car and Despatch Agency figures as these were not held separately at this time. (2) The Pensions Regulator do not own any vehicles and only occasionally hire vehicles for essential business travel where it is cost effective to do so. These costs are not separated out in the nominal ledger and would require a disproportionate amount of time to collate. 
		
	
	In relation to planned expenditure for 2010-11, all areas of DWP intend to reduce third party costs against the 2009-10 baseline, either through contract renegotiation, demand management or collaboration with other Departments to generate economies of scale.
	The DWP are unable to provide the information by English region as the contracts cover the whole of the UK and DWP would incur disproportionate costs to obtain the data by region.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what severance payments have been paid to  (a) Ministers and  (b) special advisers in his Department who left office after the last general election.

Chris Grayling: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) on 5 July 2010,  Official Report, column 55W.

Employment and Support Allowance

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what resources his Department has allocated to support the retesting and transition of incapacity benefit claimants to employment and support allowance over the next three years.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is unavailable.
	We are planning to evaluate the administrative resource costs to support the retesting and transition of incapacity benefit claimants to employment and support allowance over the next three years. Until we have more complete information following national implementation we will be unable to provide a standard administrative resource cost figure, we expect to have this information around the second to third quarter of next year.

Employment Schemes: Washington Tyne and Wear

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people in Washington and Sunderland West constituency were employed under the Recruitment Subsidy scheme in each month since it began;
	(2)  whether he plans to put in place measures to prevent any adverse effect on the employment market of the removal of the Recruitment Subsidy;
	(3)  what consultation took place with  (a) employers and  (b) Jobcentre Plus officials before the removal of the Recruitment Subsidy;
	(4)  what impact assessment his Department has undertaken on the effects of the removal of the Recruitment Subsidy.

Chris Grayling: The recruitment subsidy was part of the six-month offer introduced as a temporary recession measure, by the previous Government, to run from April 2009 to March 2011.
	The subsidy was not popular and was poor value for money. From April 2009 until April 2010 only around 34,000 subsidies were claimed yet during this time some 700,000 jobseekers that would have been eligible left jobseekers allowance. Even where the subsidies had been claimed, feedback from employers suggests they have not influenced employer decisions about who to recruit.
	The decision to end the subsidy was taken on the basis of the available evidence and experience including that of Jobcentre Plus. Employers in regular contact with Jobcentre Plus were alerted as soon as plans to end the subsidy were announced.
	Data on the subsidy are not available at constituency level. An equality impact assessment of the withdrawal of the subsidy has been prepared and will be published shortly.

EU Law

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many officials in his Department work  (a) full-time and  (b) for most of their time on the negotiation, implementation or administration of EU legislation and consequent policies.

Chris Grayling: The EU is relevant to a wide range of policy and operational areas in the Department for Work and Pensions. I estimate that approximately 320 officials work wholly or mainly on EU related matters.

Health and Safety Executive

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the running costs of the Health and Safety Executive were in each of the last five years.

Chris Grayling: The answer is provided in the table.
	
		
			  Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 
			  Financial year  Net operating cost (£  million ) 
			 2005-06 239,005 
			 2006-07 233,622 
			 2007-08 215,121 
			 2008-09 220,819 
			 2009-10 229,931 
			  Source:  HSE's Annual Report and Accounts using the "restated" column, i.e. adjusted where necessary, to reflect organisational change and the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, for comparative purposes. 
		
	
	HSE's budget for 2011-10 to 2014-15 is under review, as are the budgets for all Departments and public bodies, as part of the Spending Review 2010.

Incapacity Benefit: Medical Examinations

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people will undergo the incapacity benefit migration process at Aberdeen during the incapacity benefit reassessment trial; and of these how many receive  (a) short-term (lower) rate,  (b) short-term (higher) rate and  (c) long-term rate.

Chris Grayling: 850 people currently claiming incapacity benefits in Aberdeen and the surrounding areas whose cases are dealt with by Aberdeen Benefit Delivery Centre will be reassessed under the incapacity benefit reassessment trial. These 850 people will be selected from all incapacity benefits customers whose cases are dealt with by Aberdeen Benefit Delivery Centre.
	We are unable to say what rate of incapacity benefit these customers receive as we have not yet selected the customers to be reassessed under the Aberdeen reassessment trial.
	Customers will be selected for the trial if they are due to have a personal capability assessment as a part of their ongoing incapacity benefits claim. Some customers, such as those reaching state pension age before March 2014, will be excluded from the reassessment; others may move off incapacity benefits before the reassessment trial begins in October.

Incapacity Benefit: Medical Examinations

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the estimated average time will be to process incapacity benefit reassessments being trialled at Aberdeen; and what the average processing time was in Aberdeen in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: After an initial award of ESA has been made, the customer is sent an ESA50 medical questionnaire, which they have 28 days to complete. The customer is then invited to a work capability assessment at a medical examination centre. This takes place within the first 13 weeks of the claim. After the customer has attended the work capability assessment, a Jobcentre Plus decision maker decides whether they are fit for work and therefore not entitled to ESA, entitled to the work related activity component of ESA, or entitled to the support component of ESA. From the date the ESA50 is issued to the final decision being made takes on average 42 days.
	The target time for reassessment of incapacity benefits customers during the Aberdeen reassessment trial is 42 days. This period runs from the date the ESA50 is issued to the customer to date of the decision to find the customer fit for work, entitled to the work related activity component, or entitled to the support component.
	Before the ESA50 is issued, the customer will be telephoned by a member of staff from Jobcentre Plus to give information and advice about the reassessment process. This contact is not included in the target of 42 days for the reassessment process.

Incapacity Benefit: Medical Examinations

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether all incapacity benefit claimants will be asked to undergo a medical examination as part of the reassessment programme being trialled in Aberdeen.

Chris Grayling: Beginning with the trial in the Aberdeen and Burnley areas, customers who currently receive incapacity benefits will be reassessed to determine entitlement to employment and support allowance (ESA).
	Those customers who are the most severely disabled or who are terminally ill will automatically be considered to have limited capability for work. Conditions which mean a customer will be automatically considered to have limited capability for work include:
	terminal illness with a reasonable expectation of death within six months;
	receiving or recovering from certain forms of chemotherapy;
	pregnancy, where there is risk of harm to mother or child.
	These customers will not need to attend a work capability assessment to determine their entitlement.
	For customers who do not fulfil these conditions, entitlement to ESA is determined by a work capability assessment. Customers will be sent a medical questionnaire, the ESA50, by Atos Healthcare (our health services contractor) to complete and return. The contents of the ESA50 and any other evidence will be used to decide if the customer needs to attend a work capability assessment. If they need to attend an assessment, Atos Healthcare will call them to arrange an appointment. The work capability assessment is the main assessment for employment and support allowance. The assessment will concentrate on what people can do, rather than only focussing on what they can't.

Jobcentre Plus: Manpower

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people Jobcentre Plus has employed  (a) in total,  (b) on fixed-term contracts and  (c) on permanent contracts in each month since January 2010;
	(2)  how many Jobcentre Plus staff have  (a) not had a fixed-term contract renewed and (b) been made redundant in each month since January 2010.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Darra Singh:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking how many people Jobcentre Plus has employed (a) in total, (b) on fixed-term contracts and (c) on permanent contracts in each month since January 2010; and how many Jobcentre Plus staff have (a) not had a fixed-term contract renewed and (b) been made redundant in each month since January 2010. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The table below sets out the numbers employed in Jobcentre Plus in each month since January 2010 to March 2010, which is the latest point for which staffing data is published, broken down by permanent and fixed term contracts. Numbers quoted are in Full Time Equivalents.
	
		
			  Contract Type  January 2010  February 2010  March 2010 
			 Permanent 69,137 68,890 69,023 
			 Fixed-term 14,755 14,302 13,624 
			 Total staff 83,892 83,192 82,647 
		
	
	The increase in permanent headcount between February and March reflects the inward transfer of 316 full time equivalent staff from the Pensions, Disability and Carer's Service.
	No Jobcentre Plus staff have been made redundant since January 2010.
	The table below gives details of the number of people on Fixed Term Appointments (FTAs) that have not had their contracts renewed for each month since January 2010 to March 2010.
	Please note that this will include some people who have already had their contract
	end date extended, but then leave on their new contract end date without further extension. The figures exclude people that have left before the end of their contract for various reasons, such as dismissal for poor performance and resignation.
	Numbers quoted are in Full Time Equivalents.
	
		
			   January 2010  February 2010  March 2010 
			 Number of people on fixed term appointments leaving when contracts end. 34 24 253 
		
	
	I hope this is helpful.

Jobcentre Plus: Overtime

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many hours of overtime were recorded by Jobcentre Plus staff in  (a) the South West and  (b) nationally in each of the last 12 months.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Darra Singh:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many hours of overtime were recorded by Jobcentre Plus staff in  (a) the South West and  (b) nationally in each of the last 12 months. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The table shows for the South West region and Jobcentre Plus as a whole the number of hours overtime paid between April 2009 and March 2010. This is the latest 12 month period for which staffing data has been published. This information has been extracted from the DWP Resource Management system.
	
		
			  Month  Total Jobcentre Plus  South West 
			 Apr-09 187,662 13,856 
			 May-09 217,312 15,434 
			 Jun-09 211,925 14,715 
			 Jul-09 266,557 17,964 
			 Aug-09 208,149 13,421 
			 Sep-09 208,520 13,938 
			 Oct-09 196,685 13,695 
			 Nov-09 168,963 10,403 
			 Dec-09 143,974 8,520 
			 Jan-10 96,482 6,199 
			 Feb-10 143,815 6,986 
			 Mar-10 134,280 4,741

Members: Correspondence

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to reply to the letter of 16 July 2010 from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan on her constituent, Mr Fraser of Turriff.

Chris Grayling: I replied to the hon. Member on 14 September 2010.

Members: Correspondence

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what security information is required of hon. and right hon. Members and their caseworkers when making telephone inquiries to his Department and its agencies on behalf of their constituents.

Steve Webb: The Department is required by the Data Protection Act to implement appropriate security controls so as to protect personal data.
	Therefore when any telephone inquiry is made by a third party (including elected Members of this House or their staff seeking to assist constituents), officials are required to obtain identification details about the inquirer and the individual who is the subject of the inquiry. When the call is returned, DWP employees will further validate the identity of the inquirer. This is so as to satisfy the Department that the representative's credentials can be confirmed, that the consent of the individual has been obtained, and that the inquiry is legitimate.

Members: Correspondence

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Hartlepool of 26 July 2010 on the case of Ms Vivienne Gilman.

Chris Grayling: The Jobcentre Plus Human Resources Director replied to the hon. Member on behalf of the Secretary of State on 14 September 2010.

Pensions: Tyne and Wear

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the estimated average weekly income is of those receiving state pension entitlements in Washington and Sunderland West constituency;
	(2)  how many people receive state pension entitlements in Washington and Sunderland West constituency.

Steve Webb: Information on the average total weekly income of those receiving state pension entitlements is not available at regional level. However, the average weekly state pension amount paid to recipients in Washington and Sunderland West constituency is £106.38.
	The document 'Caseloads for selected benefits by 2010 Parliamentary Constituencies, February 2010' is available in the Library and includes figures for state pension.
	 Note
	Parliamentary constituencies are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010.
	 Source
	Average weekly amount-DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study-February 2010.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  whether, under his proposals for medical examinations for claimants of disability benefits, evidence will be accepted from the claimant's  (a) occupational therapist,  (b) speech therapist,  (c) physiotherapist,  (d) orthopaedic consultant and  (e) any other relevant therapist or consultant at relevant hearings;
	(2)  whether, under his proposals for medical examinations for claimants of disability benefits, where claimants are unable to communicate their answers to questions, their carer or guardian will be allowed to do so on their behalf;
	(3)  what provisions will be in place under his proposals for medical examinations for claimants of disability benefits for exemptions relating to claimants who have been profoundly disabled from birth and who have no expectation of improvement in their condition;
	(4)  whether, under his proposals for medical examinations for claimants of disability benefits, claimants will be allowed to be accompanied by their carers, doctors or another care professional familiar to them at the examination.

Maria Miller: In response to the Member's questions, this answer separately references both disability living allowance (DLA) and the employment and support allowance.
	First with respect to DLA, the Chancellor announced in the Emergency Budget that the Government will introduce a new, objective assessment for DLA from 2013-14. The new assessment will be transparent, objective and simple.
	The Department is currently in the process of developing options for the new assessment in consultation with an independent group of experts comprising of disabled people, relevant health professionals and others with expertise in this area. As part of this process we will consider what evidence will be required to support that new assessment and how that evidence will be gathered.
	We will begin a consultation process on our plans to reform DLA, Later this year, ensuring disable people and representative organisations are involved.
	With regard to the employment and support allowance and the associated work capability assessment (WCA), that assesses entitlement to the benefit, we will continue with the current practice of carrying out medical assessments for the purpose of determining entitlement to the benefit. The Government have a statutory commitment to carry out an independent review of the WCA every year for the first five years of operation.
	Any evidence provided by either the customer, their representatives or healthcare professional will be given consideration and will be taken into account as part of the decision making process. Additionally, a customer is welcome to bring a representative of their choice to their medical assessment. There are also existing arrangements for a third person to claim and act for a customer who is unable to act or communicate on their own behalf. Medical assessments will continue to take account of the severity of a customer's condition or disablement, as well as the expectation of improvement or a worsening of that condition.

Social Security Benefits: Uprating

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the monetary value is of each benefit paid by his Department which is now to be uprated with reference to the consumer price index; and what estimate he has made of the monetary value of each in 2014-15  (a) with and  (b) without the change in uprating method.

Steve Webb: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper) on 28 June 2010,  Official Report, column 392W.

Tyres

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies take into account rolling resistance as a performance criterion when purchasing tyres.

Chris Grayling: The information is as follows:
	 (a) DWP
	The DWP does not itself consider rolling resistance as a specific performance criterion, but this criterion is taken into consideration within the procurement procedure for new vehicles and for tyre replacements. This procedure also applies to the DWP's agencies:
	Jobcentre Plus
	The Pensions, Disability and Carers Service
	The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission
	 (b) DWP non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs)
	The Health and Safety Executive does not take into account rolling resistance as a performance criterion when purchasing tyres. All other NDPBs do not purchase tyres.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Electricity Generation: Local Authorities

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to enable local authorities to generate electricity and sell it to the National Grid.

Charles Hendry: Many local authorities are keen to take forward renewable energy projects. New regulations introduced on 18 August mean that local authorities can now sell electricity and can also benefit from renewables incentives, such as feed-in-tariffs and the renewables obligation.
	This new provision gives them the freedom to do so, enabling them to play their part in reducing emissions and meeting national renewable energy targets while also saving money on their energy bills.

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what funding his Department has allocated to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority for 2010-11.

Charles Hendry: Nuclear decommissioning is one of the most important priorities for my Department and we are determined that the Government must show the moral and political leadership to address this issue.
	The 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR07) settlement provided the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) with £1.7 billion direct Government funding for 2010-11.

Carbon Emissions: Local Government

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with representatives of local authorities on their role in achieving the carbon reduction targets set out in the Climate Change Act 2008.

Gregory Barker: Becoming the greenest Government ever will involve close cooperation between all levels of Government to achieve emissions reductions. Local authorities have a critical role in showing strong leadership and accountability in cutting emissions.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently invited local authorities to outline how they see local and central government working together. Since then DECC officials have had regular meetings with Local Government Association officials to discuss and develop this offer. We are also working with thirty local authorities taking forward the local carbon frameworks programme.

Carbon Sequestration

Jo Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to promote the development of carbon capture and storage technologies internationally.

Charles Hendry: The UK plays an active role in promoting the development of CCS technologies internationally. Most recently, in July 2010 the Secretary of State launched a new Carbon Capture-Use and Storage Action Group at the Clean Energy Ministerial in Washington DC, which will develop recommendations on overcoming barriers to CCS deployment-globally.
	The UK is involved in a number of key multilateral initiatives aimed at driving the development and deployment of CCS. These include the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, for which we hosted the ministerial meeting in 2009, the Global CCS Institute, International Energy Agency bodies, the EU Zero Emissions Programme and the North Sea Basin Task Force.
	The UK also collaborates with a range of countries to build capacity and understanding of CCS, including the US, China, South Africa and Indonesia. This includes support of the EU-China Near Zero Emissions Coal project.

Carbon Sequestration

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to promote the development of carbon capture and storage technologies internationally.

Charles Hendry: The UK plays an active role in promoting the development of CCS technologies internationally. Most recently, in July 2010 the Secretary of State launched a new Carbon Capture Use and Storage-Action Group at the Clean-Energy Ministerial in Washington DC, which will develop recommendations on overcoming barriers to CCS deployment globally.
	The UK is involved in a number of key multilateral initiatives aimed at driving the development and deployment of CCS. These include the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, for which we hosted the ministerial meeting in 2009, the Global CCS Institute, International Energy Agency bodies, the EU Zero Emissions Programme and the North Sea Basin Task Force.
	The UK also collaborates with a range of countries to build capacity and understanding of CCS, including the US, China, South Africa and Indonesia. This includes support of the EU-China Near Zero Emissions Coal project.

Committee on Climate Change

Jo Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to respond to the Committee on Climate Change's second annual report.

Gregory Barker: The Government will be responding to the Committee on Climate Change's second annual progress report no later than 15 October 2010 as required under section 37 of the Climate Change Act 2008.

Departmental Billing

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many payments to suppliers were made by  (a) his Department and  (b) its non-departmental public bodies (i) within 30 days of, (ii) over 30 days after, (iii) over 60 days after and (iv) over 90 days after the date of invoice in the latest period for which figures are available.

Gregory Barker: The number of payments' made to suppliers by the Department of Energy and Climate Change and its non-departmental public bodies in July 2010 are as follows:
	
		
			Invoices paid within 30 days  Invoices paid over 30 days  Invoices paid over 60 days  Invoices paid over 90 days 
			  Organisation  Total number of invoices  Number  %  Number  %  Number  %  Number  % 
			 Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) 771 666 86.4 46 6 18 2.3 41 5.3 
			 Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) 693 580 83.7 44 6.3 33 4.8 36 5.2 
			 Committee on Climate Change (CCC) 84 84 100 - - - - - - 
			 Coal Authority (CA)(1) 727 727 100 - - - - - - 
			 Civil Nuclear Police Authority (CNPA) 949 807 85 89 9.4 20 2.1 33 3.5 
			 (1 )Coal Authority are in legal dispute over one invoice payable in July 2010, which has not been paid yet.

Nuclear Power Stations: Decommissioning

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to reduce the costs to the public purse of nuclear decommissioning.

Charles Hendry: In respect of nuclear new build, the provisions set out in Part 3, Chapter 1 of the Energy Act 2008 ("Nuclear Sites: Decommissioning and Clean-up") are designed to ensure that the private sector meets the full cost of decommissioning and their full share of waste management costs.
	In respect of sites owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), these are in the public sector and the costs of decommissioning them are therefore met fully from the public purse, from a mixture of commercial income and direct government funding. The NDA was established to bring renewed vigour to decommissioning, using competitions for the management of its sites to drive efficiency and innovation. Together with maximising profits from its commercial operations, this ensures that the cost to the public purse of the mission is kept to the minimum necessary and delivers value for money. The NDA is also actively reducing its own management and administrative costs, through an ongoing organisational effectiveness review.

Oils: EU Law

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the cost to  (a) householders and  (b) the economy of modifications to machinery, engines and oil tanks consequent upon achieving compliance with the increased requirements for the fatty acid methyl ester content of gas oil set in the EU directives on renewable energy and fuel quality.

Gregory Barker: Neither the renewable energy directive (RED) nor fuel quality directive (FQD) explicitly require that fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) be included in gas oil. However, the directives do require an increase in use of biofuel and a reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of fuels used in transport and non-road mobile machinery. The Department for Transport is carrying out research which will be looking in detail at the barriers associated with increased deployment of all types of biofuels, including infrastructure costs and vehicle capability issues. DFT will be consulting soon on proposals to implement the RED and FQD, which will include draft impact assessments.
	Fuel containing FAME has a higher risk of outbreaks of bacterial growth and it is important that good housekeeping practices are adhered to in the storage of fuel, in particular ensuring fuel storage tanks are free from water. DFT is currently discussing the costs of fuel storage tank cleaning/water removal with stakeholders.
	The consultation introducing sustainability criteria for bioliquids into the renewables obligation (RO) as required by the renewables energy directive (RED) proposes that fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) should be eligible for support. Work is ongoing to develop costs of this change and will be considered as part of the proposed banding review to determine future levels of support.
	As part of the consultation on the RHI last February, the costs of all technologies for which a tariff was proposed were assessed.

Renewable Energy: EU Law

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what percentage of renewable energy generation he has informed the EU will be provided for by the generation of renewable heat from the injection of biomethane into the grid under the terms of Article 4 of the EU renewable energy directive.

Charles Hendry: The UK's National Renewable Energy Action Plan, based on the 2009 Renewable Energy Strategy and submitted to the European Commission in July 2010, estimated that by 2020 biomethane injection into the gas grid could account for around 1.5% of all renewable energy (that is, heat, electricity and transport biofuels).
	This "lead scenario" provides one view of the technology mix in 2020. It does not represent a target, nor should it be seen as an upper limit to the UK's ambition. Indeed "The Coalition: our programme for government" commits to promoting a huge increase in energy from waste using anaerobic digestion.

Renewable Energy: Heating

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when an announcement will be made on the timing of the commencement of the renewable heat incentive.

Gregory Barker: holding answer 14 September 2010
	As set out in the Annual Energy Statement 27 July 2010,  Official Report, column 867-869, the Government are fully committed to taking action on renewable heat. We are considering responses to the Renewable Heat Incentive consultation and will set out detailed proposals on how to take forward action on renewable heat through the spending review.

River Severn: Tidal Power

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on what date his Department plans to issue its response to the Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study.

Charles Hendry: holding answer 13 September 2010
	We expect to announce the conclusions of the study shortly.

Wind Power: Offshore Industry

Edward Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he plans to take steps to provide support to the offshore wind industry to replace that previously provided through regional development agencies.

Edward Davey: I have been asked to reply.
	Our proposals are for restructuring the delivery landscape for economic development. Replacing the regional development agencies (RDAs) with local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) will ensure that these partnerships better reflect the natural economic geography of the areas that they serve. Reorganising the delivery of economic development will ensure a focused targeted delivery of policy in areas where it can have the most benefit, allowing those locations which stand to benefit most from offshore wind to focus their attention on supporting the industry.
	We are currently considering proposals for LEPs, which were submitted in early September. In the meantime, we are working closely with the RDA network during the transition to minimise the impact on priority programmes including those supporting the offshore wind industry. Growing the offshore wind industry remains a priority for this government and we will act to ensure that both inward investment and domestic firms wishing to move into this area continue to be supported.

Wind Power: Offshore Industry

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on funding for offshore wind site development as part of the spending review.

Charles Hendry: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is in discussion with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer concerning the whole of the Department of Energy and Climate Change budget. Decisions will be announced after the 20 October:

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Burma: Internally Displaced Persons

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effects on internally-displaced people in eastern Burma of the reduction in the level of cross-border aid by the Thailand Burma Border Consortium.

Alan Duncan: The Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC) has indicated that the reduction in its budget for cross-border food aid this year will affect approximately 8,000 internally displaced people in Burma.
	The Department for International Development's (DFID's) financial contribution to TBBC has expanded significantly in recent years and now stands at £1.1 million annually. This funding is used to provide assistance to refugees in Thailand and people displaced by conflict inside Burma.
	In November 2010, DFID will host TBBC's annual Donor Meeting which will consider the Consortium's budget for 2011.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on hospitality for events hosted by each Minister in his Department in July 2010.

Alan Duncan: The Secretary of State hosted the Department for International Development (DFID) Stakeholder Reception and Launch of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) UK Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Peer Review on 8 July. £306 was spent on non-alcoholic beverages for this event.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what severance payments have been paid to  (a) Ministers and  (b) special advisers in his Department who left office after the last general election.

Alan Duncan: The value of severance payments made to the outgoing ministerial team after the last general election was £37,646. Severance payments were made in accordance with the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.
	The two special advisers received payment in lieu of notice of one quarter of their annual salary, as laid out in their contract of employment with the Department for International Development (DFID). The total value of the payments was in the range £25,000 to £29,999.

Developing Countries: Maternity Services

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking towards meeting the Millennium Development Goal on maternal health, with specific reference to training  (a) midwives,  (b) obstetricians and  (c) other relevant healthcare workers.

Alan Duncan: Improving maternal health is a major priority for the coalition Government and we will be supporting the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General's Global Strategy for Women and Children's Health at the forthcoming UN summit.
	The Department for International Development (DFID) is supporting the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to provide emergency obstetric care training to midwives and doctors in five target countries. By March 2012, it is expected that 1,400 additional national trainers will be available to improve capacity to deliver improved maternal and newborn health services.
	DFID also funds training for midwives, obstetricians and other health care workers through various channels. This includes direct support to national health sector plans of partner countries, and support to multilateral organisations such as the World Bank; and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM).
	DFID is currently developing a new Health Partnership Scheme to enable UK based health workers to support human resources training in partner countries.

EDUCATION

Academies: Freedom of Information

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education for what reasons academies are not subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he plans to make academy schools subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Nick Gibb: Academies are currently not subject to the provision of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000. However, the Academies Act 2010 includes a provision that extends the FOI Act to academy trusts. The FOI Act applies to academy trusts of maintained schools converting to academies from September 2010 and to academy trusts of existing academies from January 2011.

Academies: Governing Bodies

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether new academy school governing bodies will have powers to alter their articles of association to remove categories of governors from the governing body.

Nick Gibb: The converting school will be required to set up a new charitable company limited by guarantee, the Academy Trust. The Academy Trust will be required to comply with and adopt DFE's model Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Articles of Association set out the requirements for both the appointment of and the constitution of both the members and directors/governors of the Academy Trust. The Articles of Association can only be amended with the consent of the Secretary of State. Subject to receiving such consent, then it is for the members of the Academy Trust (not the governors) to amend the Articles of Association.

All Saints Academy Dunstable

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when a decision will be taken on funding for the new building for All Saints Academy, Dunstable; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 19 July 2010
	The Government announced on 6 August that the building work for All Saints Academy, Central Bedfordshire, will continue as planned.

Apprentices

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what  (a) level 2,  (b) level 3 and  (c) level 4 apprenticeships in each subject are available in educational institutions in each constituency for academic year 2010-11.

Nick Gibb: The number and level of apprenticeships available by training provider and constituency are not currently published. Aggregate information on the number of apprentice starts by level is published regularly through Department for Business Innovation and Skills Statistical First Releases (SFR) as is information by apprenticeship framework and information by parliamentary constituency. The latest full year data are available for the 2008/09 academic year and provisional in-year data for 2009/10. The latest SFR and supplementary tables are available at:
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statistical firstrelease/sfr_current/

Building Schools for the Future Programme

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when his review of Building Schools for the Future programme will be concluded; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The Capital Review team is working to provide advice by September for use in the comprehensive spending review, and complete its work by the end of the calendar year.

Building Schools for the Future Programme

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has for the Building Schools for the Future programmes at  (a) Babington Community Technology College,  (b) English Martyrs Catholic School,  (c) Fullhurst Community College,  (d) New College, Leicester,  (e) Ellesmere College (Special Education Needs) and  (f) West Gate School (Special Education Needs).

Nick Gibb: Babington community technology college, English Martyrs Catholic schools, Fullhurst community college, New college, Leicester, Ellesmere college, (special education needs) and West Gate school (special education needs) are unaffected by the Secretary of State's 5 July announcement on Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and will continue to be funded via BSF.

Building Schools for the Future Programme

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effect on schools in Coventry of his decisions on the Building Schools for the Future programme;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the savings made in Coventry South constituency consequent on his decisions on the Building Schools for the Future programme;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the likely effect on the number of jobs in the construction industry in the West Midlands of his decisions on the Building Schools for the Future programme;
	(4)  what factors he took into account in making his decisions on the Building Schools for the Future programme in respect of projects in Coventry South constituency which were close to financial close.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 14 July 2010
	On 5 July, the Secretary of State announced the end of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. In local authority areas where financial close has been reached, the initial BSF projects are continuing, as are repeat projects which had outline business case approval prior to 1 January 2010. In a local authority area where financial close has not been reached but where very significant work has been undertaken, to the point of appointing a preferred bidder at "close of dialogue", sample projects (the first due to be taken forward) are also continuing. The school-by-school impact of this decision in Coventry and the value of each school's project are set out in the table.
	The decision on BSF has not been taken lightly. The Secretary of State is seeking to secure best value for the taxpayer, while recognising existing contractual commitments. This decision will have an impact on schools and on the construction industry, but this is not the end of capita! investment in schools. The Secretary of State announced on 5 July a review of all capital expenditure by the Department for Education. This review will conclude by the end of 2010. Its outcome will help to determine the way in which future capital funding will be invested by the Department.
	
		
			  School  Status  Allocated cap (ex) (£)( 1) 
			 Sidney Stringer Open September 2010 28,361,344 
			 Barr's Hill Stopped 28,389,716 
			 Caludon Castle school Stopped 2,170,650 
			 Coundon Court Stopped 25,271,421 
			 Ernesford Grange and Broad Spectrum (EG) Stopped 40,298,662 
			 Finham Park Stopped 38,205,162 
			 Foxford Stopped 18,373,087 
			 Lyng Hall Stopped 10,520,425 
			 President Kennedy and Broad Spectrum (PK) Stopped 52,846,299 
			 Stoke Park Stopped 12,793,496 
			 Tile Hill Wood Stopped 37,238,710 
			 Westwood Stopped 11,587,441 
			 Whitley Abbey Stopped 7,658,907 
			 The Woodlands Stopped 24,976,033 
			 The Woodfield Stopped 21,795,751 
			 Bishop Ullathorne RC Stopped 20,787,707 
			 Cardinal Newman School and Corley Stopped 46,604,865 
			 Cardinal Wiseman RC Stopped 16,541,608 
			 Blue Coat CofE Stopped 11,487,320 
			 Total - 455,908,604 
			 (1) Please note that these schemes would have been delivered through a mixture of design and build and PFI.

Building Schools for the Future Programme

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education for which school building projects in wave 5 of the Building Schools for the Future programme the outline business case was approved after 1 January 2010.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 19 July 2010
	The following table sets out the building projects in Wave 5 of the BSF programme where the Outline Business Case was approved after 1 January 2010.
	
		
			  Local authority  OBC position 
			 Nottingham City OBC submitted and approved 
			 Waltham Forest OBC submitted and approved 
			 RB Kensington and Chelsea OBC submitted and approved 
			 Newham OBC submitted and approved 
			 North East Lincolnshire OBC submitted and approved 
		
	
	The schools affected are listed in publicly available documents at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/news/press-notices-new/bsf-sample-schools

Building Schools for the Future Programme

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans there are for the Building Schools for the Future projects at  (a) Accrington St Christopher's CE High School,  (b) Alder Grange Community and Technology School,  (c) Whitworth High School,  (d) Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School,  (e) The Hollins Technology College,  (f) Fearns Community Sports College and  (g) All Saints Catholic Language College.

Nick Gibb: The schools listed above were identified in Lancashire local authority's next wave of Building Schools for the Future (BSF) investment. As this wave of schools was not formally in the programme at the time of the Secretary of State's announcement on 5 July to halt BSF, they will not continue under BSF.
	The Department has commissioned a comprehensive review of all of its existing capital expenditure to inform decisions about future capital investment. This will include investment in schools that were not prioritised for funding under the BSF programme including those listed above. The review team will provide an interim report in the autumn and a final report by the end of the year.

Building Schools for the Future Programme: Consultants

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent estimate he has made of the average amount paid to consultants in respect of each Building Schools for the Future project.

Nick Gibb: The National Audit Office report 'The Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Programme: Renewing the secondary school estate' (HC 135 Session 2008-2009 12 February 2009) estimated that for the first 15 local education partnerships (LEPs) the combined total cost of the local authority's (LA) and the winning bidder's staff time, consultants and legal costs averaged between £9 and £10 million. This total combined cost covers the costs of designing the first few schools, procuring a private sector partner (the LA's staff and consultancy costs) and legal costs associated with setting up the LEP. One individual consultant received £1.35 million in consultancy fees.
	This is the best available estimate as there is no central collection of data on costs of consultants.

Building Schools for the Future Programme: Greater London

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what objectives have been set for the outcome of the private finance initiative project proposed for Swiss Cottage School;
	(2)  with whom he is discussing a private finance initiative project for  (a) UCL Camden Academy and  (b) Swiss Cottage School; and what objectives he has set for the outcome of those discussions.

Nick Gibb: On 6 August, the Secretary of State announced that the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) 'sample projects' including Swiss Cottage School, and selected academies, including UCL Camden Academy, would continue to be funded as part of the BSF programme. His decisions on academy projects were informed by discussions between departmental officials and academy sponsors.
	The objectives for the individual schemes in BSF projects are set by the local authority, in this case the London borough of Camden. These are reviewed by Partnerships for Schools in the final business case, which is due to be submitted later this year.

Building Schools for the Future Programme: Wandsworth

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  on how many occasions officials or Ministers in the Department for Children, Schools and Families met with Wandsworth borough council officers or councillors to discuss Building Schools for the Future projects in Wandsworth prior to 7 May; and how many such meetings were missed or cancelled by Wandsworth;
	(2)  on how many occasions officials of his Department have met Wandsworth borough council officers or councillors to discuss Building Schools for the Future projects in the borough since 7 May 2010;
	(3)  which deadlines for  (a) reports,  (b) funding applications and  (c) provision of other documents in respect of the Building Schools for the Future programme in its area the London borough of Wandsworth has (i) met and (ii) not met since the programme's inception.

Nick Gibb: As part of its rote as the delivery agent for Building Schools for the Future (BSF), Partnerships for Schools meets with Wandsworth borough council officers on a regular basis to discuss BSF projects. Since 7 May 2010, there were two close of dialogue meetings, one formal project board meeting and one meeting to discuss sample schools. Members of Parliament and councillors for Wandsworth met Lord Hill of Oareford and departmental officials on Friday, 23 July to discuss Wandsworth's BSF projects.
	All BSF project milestones have been reached. There was some delay to the original deadline for the Strategy for Change 2 documentation however milestone dates and deadlines recalibrated from that date have been met or exceeded. No partnerships for schools meetings with the local authority were cancelled or missed by either party.

CAFCASS

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  how much was paid by  (a) the Children and Family Court and Advisory Service (CAFCASS) England and  (b) CAFCASS Cymru to self employed contractors in family cases, (i) in total and (ii) for travel expenses in each year from 2002 to 2010; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what information his Department holds on the average number of years of post-qualification childcare social work experience of  (a) children's guardians employed by the Children and Family Court and Advisory Service (CAFCASS),  (b) self-employed contractors employed by CAFCASS and  (c) independent social workers acting as expert witnesses in family proceedings; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education does not hold this information. I have asked Anthony Douglas, chief executive of CAFCASS, to write to the hon. Member. A copy of his letter has been placed in the Libraries.
	 Letter from  Anthony Douglas, dated 6 September 2010:
	I am writing to you in response to Parliamentary Questions that you tabled recently:
	 To ask the Secretary of State for Education what information his Department holds on the average number of years of post-qualification childcare social work experience of (a) children's guardians employed by the Children and Family Court and Advisory Service (CAFCASS), (b) self-employed contractors employed by CAFCASS and (c) independent social workers acting as expert witnesses in family proceedings; and if he will make a statement. [ 13197 ]
	The average length of post qualifying experience in Social work (Child related) within Cafcass is 9.17 years. This is based on the length of service within Cafcass plus the requisite 3 years post qualifying social work experience needed to become a Cafcass practitioner. The minimum 3 years post qualification rule is strictly applied and most practitioners join Cafcass with approximately 5 years post qualifying experience.
	It is difficult to provide a precise figure given the nature and deployment of self employed contractors. We can evidence that every contractor goes through the same pre-employment checks as permanent staff including the post qualification experience (no less than three years required). From this we can confirm that all self employed contractors (currently around 350 available for use) have a least three years post qualification experience in child related social work.
	Cafcass does not collect information for independent social workers acting as expert witnesses in family proceedings.
	 To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much was paid by (a) the Children and Family Court and Advisory Service (CAFCASS) England and (b) CAFCASS Cymru to self employed contractors in family cases, (i) in total and (ii) for travel expenses in each year from 2002 to 2010; and if he will make a statement . [ 13196]
	Please find below a table showing the total paid by Cafcass England to self employed contractors in each year from 2001/02.
	Self employed contractors are responsible for meeting travel, office and all other expenses related to their work; therefore Cafcass does not collect this information.
	
		
			  Year  Total spent on self employed contractors (£ million) 
			 2009/10 13.077 
			 2008/09 10.062 
			 2007/08 8.877 
			 2006/07 9.730 
			 2005/06 11.736 
			 2004/05 12.837 
			 2003/04 13.157 
			 2002/03 11.738 
			 2001/02 17.546

Children in Care: Immigrants

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children of failed asylum seekers or illegal immigrants have been taken into care because their parents have absconded in each of the last two years; and how many of these children have subsequently been reunited with their families.

Tim Loughton: Information on the numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children entering care is collected and published annually, but this does not include a breakdown of whether they came into the country alone or their parents absconded and abandoned them.

Children: Databases

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether the Government plans to replace ContactPoint.

Tim Loughton: I refer the hon. Member to my written statement issued on 22 July 2010,  Official Report, columns 30-31WS.
	We are exploring the practicality of an alternative national signposting service which would help practitioners find out whether a colleague elsewhere is working, or has previously worked, with the same vulnerable child. The approach would particularly take account of the needs of children who move between local authority areas or who access services in more than one local authority. Social workers in particular, and potentially other key services like the police or accident and emergency departments, may need this information very quickly and any new approach would seek to strengthen communication between these areas.
	Critical to the success of any new service must be that it provides a modern, effective tool that supports the frontline and supports the broader aims of Eileen Munro's review to improve child protection and social work practice. It is also important that we keep the information held on any new service to the minimum necessary to allow effective identification of the individuals involved. We would also seek to keep development and implementation costs to a minimum and deliver a service that can demonstrate greater value for money than ContactPoint. We will continue to draw on the views, experience and expertise of frontline staff and managers to assess the feasibility and affordability of such an approach.

Children: Deaths

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether local safeguarding children boards have a duty to investigate all unexpected sudden child deaths related to  (a) asthma and  (b) allergy and to share their findings with relevant health and other professionals.

Tim Loughton: In accordance with the Children Act 2004, Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) are required to review the deaths of all children in their area. The reviewing of all deaths became mandatory in April 2008, although LSCBs have been able to do this since 2006.
	The statutory guidance "Working Together to Safeguard Children (2010)" sets out the process by which the Child Death Overview Panel, set up under the auspices of the LSCB, reviews child deaths to identify lessons and make recommendations so that prompt actions might be taken to prevent future such deaths where possible.
	The LSCB has responsibility for disseminating the lessons to be learnt to all relevant organisations, in order for these organisations to act on any recommendations to improve policy, professional practice and inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children in their area.

Children: Protection

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many families with children on the child protection register are housed in the private rented sector.

Tim Loughton: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Children: Social Services

Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he expects the Government to meet its target of ensuring local authorities implement the sufficiency guidance relating to the Children and Young Persons Act 2008 by April 2011.

Tim Loughton: The "sufficiency duty" requires all local authorities and their partners to be in a position to secure, where reasonably practicable, sufficient accommodation for looked after children in their local authority area. Local authorities are expected to have a local strategic plan for meeting the identified needs of looked after children in their area. There is no national or local target attached to the duty.
	I am however considering ways of corresponding with all local authorities shortly to make sure they are up to speed with their plans.

Departmental Assets

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which former  (a) buildings and  (b) land owned by (i) his Department and (ii) (A) non-departmental public bodies and (B) agencies for which his Department is responsible have been sold since May 2005; what the sale price of each was at the time of sale; and to which body the funds from the sale accrued in each case.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education has sold:
	 (a) four buildings since May 2005
	
		
			  Building  Date sold  Sale price (£) 
			 Ipswich Skill Centre Annexe 10 June 2005 100,000 
			 Middlesbrough Skill Centre Annexe 29 July 2008 778,000 
			 File Store Wales Bar, Sheffield 5 December 2008 890,000 
			 Moorfoot, Sheffield 30 July 2010 3,000,000 
		
	
	 (b) The Department has not sold any land.
	In all cases the money was retained by the Department but the Treasury reduced the cash allocation by the same amount.
	 (ii) (B) The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) has sold:
	 (a) one building since May 2005
	
		
			  Building  Date sold  Sale price (£) 
			 Ringway House, Preston 12 December 2006 1,300,000 
		
	
	 (b) Ofsted has not sold any land.
	Ofsted retained £600,000, but their capital allocation was reduced by this amount, and paid £700,000 to Treasury as a Consolidated Fund Extra Receipt.
	 (ii) (A) The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) has sold:
	 (a) three buildings since May 2005
	
		
			  Building  Date sold  Sale price (£) 
			 Darwen Health Centre, Blackburn 2005-06 75,014 
			 90 Finkle Street, Cottingham 2005-06 154,980 
			 109 Dixon's Green Road 2007-08 88,947 
		
	
	 (b) two parcels of land
	
		
			   Date sold  Sale price (£) 
			 90 Finkle Street, Cottingham 2005-06 36,297 
			 109 Dixon's Green Road 2007-08 41,053 
		
	
	CAFCASS retained the sales proceeds.
	It is not possible to give current prices without incurring disproportionate costs of engaging surveyors to value the properties now.

Departmental Buildings

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much office space per employee his Department and its predecessors occupied in each year since 1997.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education has occupied the following space per employee since 2007. Information prior to this date is not available.
	
		
			   Total NIA (M( 2) )  FTE  M( 2)  per FTE 
			 2009-10 44,018 3,048 14.4 
			 2008-09 44,273 3,306 13.4 
			 2007-08 68,681 5,010 13.7 
		
	
	Space occupied per person is expected to significantly reduce in 2010-11 as a consequence of the Department disposing of its largest building (Moorfoot in Sheffield) and acquiring a far smaller building as part of its estates rationalisation programme. This will reduce the Departments occupied space by 7,119 square metres and more than double the density of occupied space in Sheffield.

Departmental Consultants

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the  (a) average and  (b) highest daily rate paid to consultants by his Department has been since its inception.

Tim Loughton: The Department does not keep a record of the daily rates paid to individual consultants, and the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Empty Property

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department and its predecessors spent on vacant properties in each year since 1997.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education has spent the monies shown in the table on vacant properties over the last five years.
	
		
			   £ 
			 2005-06 633,465 
			 2006-07 713,034 
			 2007-08 837,109 
			 2008-09 342,856 
			 2009-10 394,693 
		
	
	Information prior to 2005 is not readily available and would incur disproportionate cost to obtain.

Departmental Motor Vehicles

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the expenditure on vehicles of  (a) his Department and  (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which he is responsible in each region of England was in the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is in each case for 2010-11.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education was created on 12 May 2010 as a result of the machinery of government changes. Prior to this it was The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) which was created in June 2007, and before this it was Department for Education and Skills (DfES).
	The Department has not owned nor sold vehicles since 2005. There is no planned expenditure for 2010-11.
	The Department holds no figures for non-departmental public bodies nor executive agencies.

Departmental Operating Costs

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he has taken to reduce the running costs of his Department to date.

Tim Loughton: The Department embarked on shared service arrangements which saw us outsourcing our back office transaction processing to DWP and beginning to use their Oracle Resource Management (RM) system to facilitate improvements in our working practices and generate savings of £8 million per year.
	The RM system enables the Department for Education (DfE) staff to carry out many more finance, procurement and HR tasks on-line, and this has resulted in both a substantial reduction in the size of the Department's central functions (and therefore a net reduction in costs) and improvements in the speed and quality of our corporate services provision.
	This work is clearly a significant foundation in our drive towards greater efficiency which will over time allow us to focus on achieving our aim of providing world class services to children, schools and families within a tighter fiscal regime.
	In addition the Department has rationalised our property usage and holdings, including moving our Sheffield operations into smaller, more efficient (and cheaper to run) buildings and increasing the density of use of the London and Runcorn buildings (by sharing the space with OGDs and arm's length bodies).
	We have implemented policies across the Department to reduce costs still further, for example in areas such as travel (where the DfE board has made a commitment to travel standard class, and encouraged all staff to travel standard class. In addition the board has asked staff to review the need to travel for meetings rather than utilising other communication media.
	DfE is also working with the Department for Transport and its Government car and despatch agency to effect the transition to new arrangements detailed in the Ministerial Code published 21 May 2010 to reduce the number of ministerial cars within the Department.
	In addition, the Department is reviewing its consultancy, procurement and marketing policies to identify other potential savings.

Departmental Pay

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much was paid in remuneration in total to civil servants in his Department in 2009-10.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education was created on 12 May 2010. In the predecessor Department for Children, Schools and Families, £135 million was paid as remuneration to civil servants in 2009-10. This includes pay, employer pension contributions and national insurance payments, as well as any taxable benefits and non consolidated performance related payments.

Departmental Pensions

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the cost was of pension contributions incurred by  (a) his Department and  (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which he is responsible in each of the English regions in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2010-11.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education (DfE) was created on 12 May 2010 and pension contributions for the financial year 2010-11 are estimated to be £20 million. In the predecessor Departments: Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF 2007-10) and Department for Education and Skills (DfES part 2007) the pensions contributions for the financial years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 were £19.4 million, £19 million and £20.8 million respectively.
	There are no Executive Agencies in DfE or in the predecessor DCSF and DfES and pension contribution information on the various NDPBs reporting to the three Departments between 2007-08 and 2010-11 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Rents

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much was paid by his Department in rent for properties in  (a) total and  (b) each (i) region and (ii) nation of the UK in each of the last five years.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education paid rent on properties as follows:
	 (a) total :
	
		
			   £ 
			 2005-06 25,721,925 
			 2006-07 25,352,250 
			 2007-08 21,397,144 
			 2008-09 20,853,246 
			 2009-10 18,082,342 
		
	
	 (b) each (i) region:
	
		
			  £ 
			   Yorkshire and Humberside  North West  West Midlands  South East  East of England 
			 2005-06 440,418 107,277 329,705 177,719 76,875 
			 2006-07 440,418 107,277 329,705 177,719 76,875 
			 2007-08 434,871 107,277 329,705 71,088 76,875 
			 2008-09 337,137 106,707 327,951 0 75,472 
			 2009-10 255,053 104,844 323,334 0 74,261 
		
	
	 (ii) nation of the UK:
	The Department for Education only has properties in England therefore the figures under  (a) total, apply.
	 (c) London:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2005-06 24,589,931 
			 2006-07 24,220,256 
			 2007-08 20,377,328 
			 2008-09 20,005,979 
			 2009-10 17,324,850

Departmental Trade Unions

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department and its predecessors has paid to trade unions in each year since 1997; and what estimate he has made of the monetary value of facilities provided by his Department and its predecessors for use by trade unions in each year since 1997.

Tim Loughton: The Department does not give money to the trade unions it recognizes-the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS); Prospect; and First Division Association, in 2009-10 there was one full-time member of staff supporting the trade union secretary and three full-time members of staff who work and represent all three unions. The total wage for the four officials employed on union work that year was £118,000. The equivalent information for each year since 1997, and the value of the facilities they used, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Trade Unions

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  how many paid manpower hours civil servants in his Department and its predecessors spent on trade union-related duties and activities in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many civil servants in his Department and its predecessors spent the equivalent of  (a) five days or fewer,  (b) five to 10 days,  (c) 10 to 15 days,  (d) 15 to 20 days,  (e) 20 to 25 days and  (f) 25 days or more on trade union-related activities or duties while being paid salaries from the public purse in each year since 1997.

Tim Loughton: In 2009-10, four officials worked over 25 days on trade union related activities for all three recognized trade unions-the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS); Prospect; and First Division Association. A breakdown of the equivalent information for each year since 1997 and a calculation of the hours or how many days other civil servants spent on trade union related activities, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Education: Finance

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the statement of 5 July 2010,  Official Report, columns 47-50, on education funding, if he will publish for each local authority,  (a) the end-year flexibility local authority specific grant allocations in force prior to the Statement and  (b) the changes to such allocations.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 20 July 2010
	 Revised capital grant allocations by authority, where available, were published on 14 July on the Department for Education's website at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/news/news/eyf

Education: Finance

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Education by how much education funding in England has been reduced in-year in 2010-11.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 27 July 2010
	The Department made reductions in its 2010-11 baseline of £650 million as part of the Budget last year and further reductions of £670 million as part of the £6.2 billion reductions across Government announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
	In addition, the Department has agreed to reduce its claim on end year flexibility (EYF) by £1 billion in line with the Government's plan to reduce the deficit. The Department expects to be able to manage most of this through better financial management and tighter controls. Because of the size of the reduction, however, the Department will have to make £156.5 million savings from capital budgets where commitments are no longer affordable.
	
		
			   Saving  (£ million) 
			 Co-location projects-cancelling projects where progress has not been satisfactory or is not good value for money. 24.0 
			 School swimming-cancelling capital investment in school swimming pools due to low take-up of the offer 15.0 
			 Eco-towns contribution-not funding pilot work on energy efficient schools in the CLG led eco-towns initiative 2.5 
			 Harnessing Technology Grant-a further reduction to take this year's funding down to £100 million, allowing schools to reconfigure their broadband and IT infrastructure projects onto a more sustainable funding model 50.0 
			 14-19 diplomas, SEN and disabilities-cutting allocations to the 76 LAs which were not included in early BSF waves and were therefore allocated £8 million each to support investment in SEN or diploma provision. Their allocations will be reduced by circa £660,000 50.0 
			 Social Work IT support-not proceeding, with plans announced just before the election of a formulaic allocation to LAs to improve social work IT provision 15.0 
			 Total 156.5 
		
	
	EYF is a mechanism whereby departments may carry forward unspent departmental expenditure limit (DEL) provision into later financial years.

Foster Care

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many foster parents informed his Department of a decision not to continue as foster parents because of inability to control children in 2009.

Tim Loughton: Information about a carer's decision not to continue fostering is not collected centrally. A foster carer wishing to withdraw from fostering needs to inform their fostering service provider, who is responsible both for their approval as a foster carer and for any decision to terminate that approval.
	Foster carers care for some of society's most vulnerable children and often face challenging child behaviour. The Department for Education is funding a national roll out of the "Fostering Changes" programme, which is specifically designed to support foster carers in managing such behaviour and in building positive relationships with the children in their care.

Free Schools

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what legislative changes are required to implement his policy on free schools.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 19 July 2010
	Free schools will be set up using the same legal framework as academies and no new legislation is currently required for free schools to be established.
	The Government want to make it easier for a diverse range of people and organisations to set up new schools, and we will continue to review whether legislation could be amended or removed to make it easier for local communities to set up new schools.
	As part of this work, the Government will shortly be consulting on changing regulations to make it easier for schools to be set up in buildings which currently have other uses.

Free Schools

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which Minister authorised his Department's guidance to parents wishing to set up a new school.

Nick Gibb: The guidance provided by the Department for Education to parents and organisations wishing to set up a free school is available at:
	www.education.gov.uk/freeschools
	and was approved by the Secretary of State for Education and Lord Hill, the Minister responsible for free schools.

Free Schools

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what meetings Ministers in his Department have had with  (a) Rachel Wolf and  (b) Dominic Cummings since 6 May 2010.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 6 September 2010
	Rachel Wolf and Dominic Cummings have regular meetings with officials and Ministers.

Free School Meals: West Midlands

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children in  (a) the West Midlands,  (b) Dudley borough and  (c) Dudley North constituency received free school meals in the academic year 2009-10.

Nick Gibb: Information on free school meal eligibility is shown in the table. This includes full-time pupils aged 0 to 15 and part time pupils aged 5 to 15.
	Information on the take up of free school meals has not been provided because it is not possible to exclude pupils who are below or over compulsory school age for take up information-far fewer of whom claim for and take free school meals-from the total number of pupils taking a free school meal.
	
		
			  Maintained nursery, primary( 1)  and state funded secondary schools( 1, 2) : School meal arrangements( 3, 4)  January 2010 
			   Nursery and primary schools( 1)  State-funded secondary schools( 2) 
			   Number on roll  Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals  Percentage known to be eligible for free school meals  Number on roll  Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals  Percentage known to be eligible for free school meals 
			 England 3,838,680 711,410 18.5 2,864,350 441,140 15.4 
			 West Midlands 432,020 94,930 22.0 323,780 57,770 17.8 
			 Dudley local authority 24,480 4,780 19.5 19,260 3,200 16.6 
			 Dudley North parliamentary constituency 6,770 1,700 25.1 5,550 1,090 19.6 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Includes city technology colleges and academies. (3) Includes all full-time and part-time pupils who are sole or dual main registrations. Includes boarders. (4) Pupils eligible for free school meals who have full time attendance and are aged 15 or under, or pupils who have part time attendance and are aged between five and 15. Pupils are recorded as eligible only if a claim for free school meals has been made by them or on their behalf by their parents.  Note: Pupil numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10  Source: School Census

Free School Meals: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children were in receipt of free school meals in  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools in the Peterborough local education authority area in each year since 2001.

Nick Gibb: Information on free schools meals is shown in the table.
	For nursery and primary schools both take up and eligibility have been provided. For state-funded secondary schools eligibility of those of school age (or below) has been provided. Take up information has not been provided because it is not possible to exclude pupils who are over compulsory school age-far fewer of whom claim for and take free school meals-from the total number of pupils taking a free school meal.
	
		
			  Maintained nursery, primary( 1)  and state funded secondary( 1,2 ) schools: Peterborough local authority: School meal arrangements- January each year 
			   Nursery and primary schools( 1)  State funded secondary schools( 1,2) 
			   Number of pupils of the relevant population( 3)  Number of pupils taking free school meals( 4)  Percentage taking free school meals  Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals( 5)  Percentage known to be eligible for free school meals  Number of pupils of the relevant population( 3)  Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals( 5)  Percentage known to be eligible for free school meals 
			 2001 16,080 2,900 18.0 3,540 22.0 n/a n/a n/a 
			 2002 16,030 2,820 17.6 3,360 20.9 10,950 1,820 16.6 
			 2003 15,710 2,550 16.2 3,110 19.8 11,030 1,860 16.9 
			 2004 15,660 2,600 16.6 3,060 19.5 10,970 1,900 17.3 
			 2005 15,540 2,400 15.4 2,880 18.5 10,940 1,950 17.8 
			 2006 15,400 2,390 15.5 2,690 17.5 11,110 1,900 17.1 
			 2007 15,420 2,150 13.9 2,530 16.4 11,190 1,890 16.9 
			 2008 15,620 2,130 13.6 2,470 15.8 11,040 1,710 15.5 
			 2009 15,730 2,320 14.7 2,610 16.6 11,100 1,620 14.6 
			 2010 15,940 2,640 16.5 3,000 18.8 11,070 1,810 16.3 
			 n/a= Not available. Information not collected. (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Includes city technology colleges and academies. (3) includes sole and dual (main) registrations. (4) Number of pupils taking a free school meal on the day of the census. Those eligible may choose not to take up their offer of a free school meal for various reasons e.g. through preference or through non-attendance on the day. (5) Full time pupils eligible and claiming for free school meals and are aged 15 or under, or pupils who have part time attendance and are aged between five and 15.  Note: Pupil numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.  Source:  School Census

Music: Education

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he intends to take to promote the teaching of music in schools following the end of the Standards Fund in 2011.

Nick Gibb: A solid, knowledge-based music education for all children and young people is very important to this Government. We also believe that every child should learn to play a musical instrument and to sing. No decision has been taken on funding for music education beyond March 2011 as the spending review continues. Following the review we will set out how we plan to promote the teaching of music and the development of musical talent in schools.

Parenting Orders

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many parenting orders have been issued for  (a) truancy and  (b) other offences in (i) Doncaster, (ii) South Yorkshire and (iii) England since their introduction.

Nick Gibb: The Department has collected data from local authorities in England on parenting orders granted by the Courts following  (a) successful truancy prosecutions since 2004. The number of parenting orders issued between September 2004 and August 2009 in:
	(i) Doncaster was 58
	(ii) South Yorkshire was 129
	(iii) England was 2,444
	The Youth Justice Board has collected data on the number of parenting orders granted by the Courts following  (b) other offences since their introduction in 1998. The following figures show the number of parenting orders awarded when a juvenile was convicted and received a court order. The data only includes parenting orders imposed in other circumstances such as antisocial behaviour orders for 2000/01 to 2003/04 because Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) were not always involved in applying for these and therefore the data was incomplete. The number of these parenting orders issued between 1998 and 2008 in:
	(i) Doncaster was 15
	(ii) South Yorkshire was 117
	(iii) England was 9,617

Public Expenditure

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 5 July 2010,  Official Report, columns 1-2WS, on public spending control, what the breakdown by  (a) budget area and  (b) local education authority area is of the £1 billion reduction in expenditure to be made from his Department.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 12 July 2010
	Work is still ongoing to identify the budget areas were the £1 billion reduction in End Year Flexibility (EYF) will be taken from, and will be working on the implications as part of our work on the Spending Review.
	£156.5 million of savings have already been identified from capital budgets in the following areas:
	
		
			   £ million saving 
			 Co-location projects-cancelling projects where progress has not been satisfactory or is not good value for money 24.0 
			 School swimming-cancelling capital investment in school swimming pools due to low take-up of the offer 15.0 
			 Eco-towns contribution-not funding pilot work on energy efficient schools in the CLG led eco-towns initiative 2.5 
			 Harnessing Technology Grant-a further reduction to take this year's funding down to £100 million, allowing schools to reconfigure their broadband and IT infrastructure projects onto a more sustainable funding model 50.0 
			 14-19 diplomas, SEN and disabilities-cutting allocations to the 76 LAs which were not included in early BSF waves and were therefore allocated £8 million each to support investment in SEN or diploma provision. Their allocations will be reduced by c £660,000 50.0 
			 Social Work IT support-not proceeding with plans announced just before the election of a formulaic allocation to LAs to improve social work IT provision 15.0 
			 Total 156.5 
		
	
	EYF is a mechanism whereby departments may carry forward unspent departmental expenditure limit (DEL) provision into later financial years.

Pupils: Behaviour Disorders

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance his Department provides to  (a) parents and  (b) foster parents on disciplining children with behavioural problems.

Tim Loughton: This Department has not issued any guidance to parents on disciplining children with behavioural problems, although guidance issued by the Department to local authorities has encouraged local commissioning of parenting programmes. These have been shown to help parents adopt proven strategies for disciplining their children including children with behavioural problems.
	Legislation makes clear that foster carers must not use corporal punishment, or any measure of discipline which is excessive or unreasonable. Fostering service providers have a statutory duty to prepare and implement a written policy on acceptable ways of disciplining children placed with foster carers.
	To support foster carers to manage challenging child behaviour effectively, the Government are supporting the national roll-out of the Fostering Changes programme and is piloting the KEEP programme. These programmes help foster carers develop the skills to manage challenging behaviour by forming positive relationships with the children they look after. Feedback from foster carers about these programmes has been extremely positive.
	The Government are also piloting multi-dimensional treatment foster care (MTFC) for foster children with particularly challenging behaviour. This evidence-based programme helps foster carers to reduce children's behavioural and emotional difficulties.

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the average funding per pupil from his Department in  (a) academy and  (b) other maintained schools in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12.

Nick Gibb: The indicative figures for academy funding for 2010-11 will not be available until the end of this calendar year.
	Final allocations of the Dedicated Schools Grant for 2010-11 are available and can be found on:
	http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/management/schoolfunding/schoolfunding2008to11/dsg200811/
	We cannot confirm what the education funding settlement will be for academies or maintained schools for 2011-12 in advance of the next spending review but we are committed to ensuring that academies are funded on a comparable basis to other local schools, taking into account the additional responsibilities that academies have.

Schools: Discipline

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 7 July 2010,  Official Report, column 11WS, on behaviour and discipline in schools, 
	(1)  whether he proposes that  (a) teaching assistants,  (b) clerical staff,  (c) catering staff and  (d) premises staff are to be given anonymity in respect of accusations made by pupils;
	(2)  in respect of which offences he proposes that teachers facing accusations from pupils are to be given anonymity;
	(3)  whether teachers are to be given anonymity in respect of accusations made by pupils at  (a) the school at which they are employed and (b) other schools;
	(4)  whether teachers are to be given anonymity in respect of accusations made by pupils relating to incidents  (a) on and  (b) off school premises;
	(5)  what restrictions on the publication of the names of teachers against whom accusations have been made by pupils his Department plans to introduce.

Tim Loughton: The details of this commitment from our coalition programme are still under consideration. I want to ensure teachers are protected against false allegations, but I also need to consider the impact on other school staff and on those working in the wider children's workforce. All allegations need to be taken seriously, regardless of the alleged offence, whether it takes place in the school they are employed in, at another school or off the school premises. While it is an imperative that we continue to safeguard children, it is also the case that some allegations are false and maliciously intended. The impact of such allegations on teachers' careers and even their lives can be devastating and I am determined to afford those affected the best protection possible. I will announce my plans and further details of how we intend to improve anonymity for teachers facing allegations in due course.

Schools: Governing Bodies

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many members of the New Schools Network have served as school governors.

Nick Gibb: The Department does not hold the information requested.

Schools: Standards

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what research his Department has evaluated on the effects in other countries on levels of integration of pupils of different  (a) socio-economic,  (b) race,  (c) ability and  (d) other groups of free market competition in the provision of schooling.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 19 July 2010
	The Department has evaluated a range of research in these areas. Analysts have reviewed research evidence on the effects on levels of integration of pupils of different groups (including socio-economic status, ethnicity and ability) of free market competition in diversified school systems in other countries.

Schools: Standards

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what research his Department has evaluated on the effects on educational standards in other countries of free market competition in the provision of schooling.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 19 July 2010
	The Department has evaluated a range of research in these areas. The Department has reviewed research evidence on the effects on educational standards of free market competition in diversified school systems in other countries. Some of these countries have schools with a great degree of autonomy, such as the Free Schools in Sweden, and Charter Schools in the US and the Canadian province of Alberta.

Schools: Standards

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what arrangements Ofsted makes to exclude from its assessment of a school's performance factors outside a school's control, with particular reference to attendance records affected by  (a) extended holidays taken by families of pupils and  (b) large transient populations.

Nick Gibb: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM chief inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to my hon. Friend and a copy of her response has been placed in the Libraries.
	 Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated 22 July 2010:
	Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for response.
	There are considerable variations in attendance rates for schools in similar, challenging contexts, with high levels of pupil mobility, and these are often related to the quality of their strategies to reduce absence and promote regular attendance. Regular attendance is a critical factor in ensuring that pupils are able to learn effectively, make good progress and stay safe. While there is a clear statistical link between attendance and levels of social deprivation, it is important that this does not detract from the school's determination to secure good attendance however difficult the circumstances.
	Inspectors exercise professional judgement when considering the extent to which overall attendance rates are affected by the poor attendance of a transient group of pupils. Inspectors evaluate the impact of the school's efforts to improve the attendance of pupils who are frequently absent and this is likely to be reflected in their judgement about the quality of the care, guidance and support provided by the school.
	Many parents take extended family holidays during term time. Inspectors cannot ignore this type of absence and there are wide variations in how well this is managed by schools. When schools have built strong and productive partnerships with parents which help them to support their children's learning, holiday absence is less likely to be a serious problem. Positive and proactive action on the part of the school may then reflect favourably on the judgement about the school's leadership and management, including the specific judgement about the effectiveness of its engagement with parents and carers.
	Inspectors are sensitive to the particular circumstances of schools which include the children of service personnel. It is Ministry of Defence practice to grant a two-week period of rest and recreation for personnel returning from active deployment. For those with young families, this usually means them wanting to take their children out of school for all or part of this. Inspectors take account of the impact these arrangements when making a judgement on attendance in such schools. They also take account of unusual weather conditions, such as the prolonged periods of snow experienced in some areas during December 2009 and January 2010.
	Detailed guidance on judging attendance is available on the Ofsted website at:
	www.ofsted.gov.uk
	A copy of this reply has been sent to Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for Schools, and will be placed in the library of both Houses.

Sixth Form Colleges: Building Schools for the Future Programme

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he plans to include sixth form colleges in any future review of the Building Schools for the Future programme; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: On 5 July, the Secretary of State announced a comprehensive review of all of its capital programmes. Capital investment in sixth-form colleges is within the scope of the review.
	The Capital Review team will be providing advice to Ministers for use in the comprehensive spending review, and complete its work by the end of the calendar year.

Social Work Taskforce

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he plans to take in response to the recommendations of the Social Work Taskforce report.

Tim Loughton: The Government have announced their commitment to meeting and building upon the recommendations of the Social Work Task Force. It is important that the Social Work Reform Board's progress in implementing those recommendations is maintained. I attended the Reform Board's 9 July 2010 meeting. The minutes of this meeting, once agreed by the Reform Board, will be made available on their website, at
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/swrb/documents.shtml
	The Secretary of State for Education has also confirmed the following funding to support social work reform:
	A £23 million Local Social Work Improvement Fund will be available to local authority children's services in 2010-11.
	The continuation of Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) programmes to support recruitment and retention of social workers.
	Funding to support the establishment of an independent College of Social Work.
	Continuation of pilots of Social Work Practices.
	The Department for Education is building on the recommendations of the Social Work Task Force to ensure that further improvements can be made in children's social work practice. To this end, on 10 June 2010, the Secretary of State for Education announced the Munro Review of Child Protection which, building on the recommendations of the Social Work Task Force, will focus on identifying the barriers that need to be removed to enable frontline children and families' social workers to practise effectively. Professor Munro will make her final report in April 2011.

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department plans to take to ensure the views of young people are taken into account on proposals for changes to youth services in accordance with the provisions of Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Tim Loughton: We are currently developing our proposals for the future of youth services and on new approaches to giving young people a voice and strengthening youth scrutiny over national policy. I have taken action to ensure that young people are integral to the wider consultation process through a range of events, including one I hosted at the Department with around 20 teenagers from different parts of the country. Officials from my Department, with colleagues from Communities and Local Government, are working to assess the impact of current approaches to youth empowerment and democratic engagement and are drawing on the mechanisms and experience of youth organisations to involve young people directly in this work. Both Departments are also working with the Office for Civil Society to support the National Citizen Service programme and we are currently drawing up plans to ensure that young people are fully involved in the development of this.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to answer question  (a) 8162,  (b) 8165,  (c) 8164 and  (d) 8161, tabled on 7 July 2010 for answer on 14 July 2010, on the Building Schools for the Future programme.

Nick Gibb: holding answer  13 September 2010
	A response has been sent to the hon. Member today.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Departmental Manpower

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff his Department employs to consider  (a) departmental and  (b) national strategy; what output such staff are required to produce; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary expects all senior staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to make an appropriate contribution to the strategy of the FCO and of the UK, and to co-ordination through the National Security Council (NSC), within the strategic framework set by the Government. 15 staff are currently employed in the Central Policy Group, which co-ordinates the FCO's relationship with the NSC and facilitates high-level strategic discussion within the FCO.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what severance payment was made to each  (a) Minister and  (b) special adviser in his Department who left office after the last general election.

Alistair Burt: I refer my hon. Friend to the response given to the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Mr Maude) on 5 July 2010,  Official Report, column 55W.
	The Government publishes annually the total cost of special advisers in the form of a written ministerial statement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. The total cost of severance paid out to special advisers to the previous Government who left office after the last general election will be published in due course.

EU Common Foreign and Security Policy

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which policy areas are designated under the Common Foreign and Security Policy as areas of joint action.

David Lidington: Joint actions no longer exist. Before the Lisbon Treaty came into force, Article 14 of the Treaty of the European Union (TEU) stated that:
	"Joint actions shall address specific situations when operational action by the Union is deemed to be required."
	Most joint actions dealt with the imposition of sanctions, crisis management operations and the creation and running of EU Common Foreign and Security Policy agencies (for example, the European Defence Agency). Under Articles 23 to 46 of the TEU these types of decision are now in the form of Decisions of the Council. Like joint actions, council decisions are legally binding between the 27 member states.

EU Institutions: Manpower

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he plans to take to increase the number of UK nationals working in EU institutions; and if he will make a statement.

David Lidington: It is a Government priority to increase the number of UK officials working in the EU institutions and my officials have been developing a campaign to raise interest in careers in the EU institutions. The objective will be to raise both the number and quality of UK applicants.
	We have reintroduced the European Fast Stream which prepares UK civil servants for the entry concours while undertaking demanding civil servant jobs. Work is also under way to develop a more strategic approach to the use of secondments of UK civil servants to posts in the EU institutions, where UK experience and insight can add real value.
	We are also holding a series of events to raise awareness among young people over the course of the coming months. This is in its early stages but the first is scheduled for mid-October, when I hope to be joined by my right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Deputy Prime Minister at a reception in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) where our guests will include university Vice Chancellors, Heads of Language Departments, careers advisers and interested members of the media. We will also launch an area on the FCO website dedicated to EU careers.

European Parliament: Computer Games

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been spent by the European Union in developing its role-playing game Citzalia; and how much it will cost annually to support and maintain the gaming site.

David Lidington: Information on this project was supplied by the European Parliament. Citzalia is an initiative of an organisation called the European Service Network (ESN), a Brussels-based communications agency whose website is:
	http://www.esn.eu
	At the beginning of 2010 the European Parliament awarded ESN a maximum grant of €206,450 which represents 75% of the estimated cost of establishing the project. An advance on the grant has been disbursed and final payment is conditional on the successful completion of the project and will not be made until such time as the final accounts have been received and analysed by the European Parliament.
	The grant funding covers a set period of time, after which no further funding will be provided for the ongoing annual cost of supporting and maintaining the game.
	Further information can be obtained from the UK Office of the European Parliament, whose website is:
	www.europarl.org.uk

Human Rights

David Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in his Department work full-time on human rights policy.

William Hague: 25 members of the Human Rights and Democracy Department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London work full-time on human rights, assisted by a large number of staff in Consular Directorate, geographical teams and other functional policy teams. All FCO overseas missions monitor and raise human rights with their host countries. Staff recruited locally to work at posts overseas may also work on human rights issues.

Ilois: Resettlement

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the  (a) assisted returns of and  (b) the right of permanent return by Chagos islanders to the islands of the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Henry Bellingham: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary set out in his evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 8 September 2010, the Government will continue to defend their position in the proceedings brought by the Chagos Islanders to the European Court of Human Rights. This is because we believe that the arguments against allowing resettlement on the grounds of defence security and feasibility are clear and compelling.

India: Foreign Relations

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the state of bilateral relations between the UK and India; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The UK is committed to an enhanced partnership with India, which was strengthened by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's visit to India on 29-30 July 2010. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary accompanied the Prime Minister, along with colleagues including the right hon. Chancellor of the Exchequer and the right hon. Business Secretary, a delegation of business leaders and representatives from education, culture and sport. Throughout the visit Ministers had productive and wide ranging discussions with their Indian counterparts. Both sides agreed specific initiatives to develop economic and trade relations, science and technology, energy, education, defence, cultural and people to people contacts.

JUSTICE

Alternatives to Prison

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what proportion of recommendations for use of the Intensive Alternative to Custody scheme were accepted by the courts in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  how much his Department has spent on the Intensive Alternative to Custody scheme to date;
	(3)  for what offences an Intensive Alternative to Custody has been given in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: NOMS does not keep statistical information on the proportion of recommendations for the Intensive Alternative to Custody scheme accepted by the courts.
	Overall, £13.9 million in funding was allocated to the programme (£2.7 million in 2008-09; £5.7 million in 2009-10; and £5.5 million in 2010-11).
	The majority of offences for which an intensive alternative to custody has been given are acquisitive in nature and account for 36% of the orders. This is followed by violent offences 32.5%, motoring 10%, drug offences 8.4% with the remaining 12.6% being a collection of other offences.

Children Act 1989

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the outcome was of each referral to a local authority under section 47 of the Children Act 1989 following a restraint incident in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: These data are not held centrally and are available only at local authority level. To obtain such information would be at disproportionate cost.

Community Orders

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average cost to the public purse was of ordinary community orders in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: Costs will vary greatly depending on the nature and intensity of the order which can include one or more of 12 different requirements. The Specification, Benchmarking and Costing programme in the National Offender Management Service has produced specifications on the management of the community order and the delivery of the supervision requirement. Work is underway to establish the costs of these specifications with probation trusts. Full costs of the supervision requirement will be collected and published in order to benchmark the whole of the probation system by the end of 2011.

Defamation

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress he has made on his plans to review libel law; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Government are committed to reviewing the law on defamation (including libel) with a view to ensuring that freedom of speech and academic debate are protected and that a fair balance is struck between freedom of expression and the protection of reputation. We intend to publish a draft Bill in the new year for consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny, with a view to introducing legislation as soon after that as parliamentary time allows.

Departmental Chief Scientific Advisers

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on how many occasions each Minister in his Department has met his Department's chief scientific officer since 6 May 2010.

Kenneth Clarke: Since 6 May 2010, Ministers have met the Department's chief scientific officer as follows:
	Crispin Blunt has met her on approximately eight occasions,
	Lord McNally on four,
	Jonathan Djanogly on four,
	Nick Herbert MP on six,
	and I myself have met her on at least eight occasions.

Departmental Consultants

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies spent on consultants in each year since 1997.

Kenneth Clarke: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) came into existence in May 2007, merging the former Department for Constitutional Affairs and part of the Home Office. This means comprehensive and comparable data are only available for 2007 onwards.
	The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) collates data on consultancy expenditure as part of its Consultancy Value Programme which assists departments in driving greater value from consultants. The MoJ is currently collecting data on consultant expenditure for 2009-10. The results will be sent to the OGC in October 2010.
	The Department's expenditure on consultants in 2008-09 was £50 million. This figure is based on a manual data collection exercise completed for the period April 2008 to March 2009.
	The Ministry's expenditure on consultancy for 2007-08 was £56 million and can be found in the link:
	http://www.ogc.gov.uk/professional_services_consultancy_ value_programme.asp
	Both the 2007-08 and 2008-09 figures reflect expenditure by MoJ headquarters, HM Courts Service, HM Courts Service Estates, Tribunals Service, Office of the Public Guardian, and the National Offender Management Service (except for the Probation Service). Refinements in the methodology for classifying expenditure in accordance with OGC taxonomy means that the 2007-08 and 2008-09 figures are not directly comparable at a detailed level.
	The OGC definition of "consultancy" is very broad. It can include professional services provided by lawyers, surveyors, architects et cetera and the employment of specialists on an interim basis, to implement project solutions, providing expertise for a defined period of time that is not available in-house.

Fines

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many and what proportion of  (a) fines,  (b) penalty notice payments and  (c) compensation payments went unpaid in each of the last five years.

Jonathan Djanogly: HMCS systems do not identify how much of the value of the outstanding balance relates to fines, penalty notices or compensation, this information could only be provided at disproportionate cost as it would require a manual search of all fine accounts.
	However HMCS systems can identify the total amount imposed within the last five years and the total value outstanding. The total value outstanding can relate to fines imposed in any previous period and includes financial penalties imposed a number of years ago during the period when fines could not be cancelled (2004-06) and financial penalties which are being paid by instalments. The total amount imposed and balance outstanding includes fines imposed in the magistrates and Crown courts, compensation, costs, victims surcharge and the value of unpaid fixed penalty notices that are transferred to HMCS for enforcement as a fine. The outstanding balance has risen through the application of a strict policy that only allows fines to be written off in certain circumstances.
	
		
			  £ 
			   Total amount imposed  Total amount outstanding 
			 2005-06 368,923,934 474,292,175 
			 2006-07 364,563,520 486,597,240 
			 2007-08 376,569,882 500,630,569 
			 2008-09 393,121,639 544,890,624 
			 2009-10 406,670,167 588,475,304

Judiciary: Retirement

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will assess the merits of increasing the retirement age of  (a) magistrates and  (b) full-time members of the judiciary.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Government are considering the merits of such a change, in consultation with the judiciary and others.

Jury Service: Hearing Impairment

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidance his Department issues to assist deaf people to undertake jury service.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Guide to Jury Summons leaflet which is issued with every summons advises jurors to declare whether they have a disability or special need on the Reply to Jury Summons form to enable HMCS via the Jury Central Summoning Bureau to automatically notify the relevant court of any disability or needs. Court staff will then contact the juror to discuss if adjustments can be arranged and offer a pre-service visit to check the facilities available. In addition to this, jurors are advised that they themselves may request a pre-service visit to the court before their jury service commences to assess the facilities by contacting the Jury Central Summoning Bureau.

Jury Service: Hearing Impairment

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people called to undertake jury service in each HM Courts Service area in the last five years were unable to serve because of deafness.

Jonathan Djanogly: Her Majesty's Courts Service does not keep specific information on how many people were called and excused from jury service because of their deafness.

Jury Service: Hearing Impairment

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what facilities are provided for deaf people participating in jury service in each HM Courts Service area.

Jonathan Djanogly: Jurors with certain hearing aids may need the use of an induction loop system and each court will either have the system on site or have access to it by borrowing it from a neighbouring court. Courts can also, subject to cost, arrange for computer aided transcription for profoundly deaf jurors which allows the proceedings to be relayed simultaneously to the juror in written form while in the courtroom. However, the juror must be able to participate in the discussion in the deliberation room with their fellow jurors without the aid of third party assistance such as a sign language interpreter.

Land Registry: Fees and Charges

George Freeman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will estimate the average cost to district councils in  (a) England and Wales and  (b) Mid Norfolk constituency of the proposed removal of charges for Land Registry checks.

Jonathan Djanogly: No Land Registry charges have been removed. However, we revoked the fee for a personal search of the local land charges register in England on 17 August 2010. Responsibility for this fee in Wales is devolved to the Welsh Assembly Government.
	There should be no overall cost to local authorities in the current financial year, as the loss of income will be met by central Government under the new burdens doctrine. For 2011-12 and in future years the ongoing loss of fees will be considered as part of the spending review.
	However the Government expect local authorities themselves to take greater responsibility for moving to more efficient ways of registering charges on land and maintaining land charge registers, as well as for making other environmental information required to support property transactions accessible to the public by electronic means. This would be in line both with the existing duty on all public authorities progressively to make environmental information easily available under the Environmental Information Regulations, and with the Government's new Transparency Agenda.

Legal Advice and Assistance

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the recent tendering exercise by the Legal Services Commission on the ability of the most vulnerable people to gain access to legal advice and representation.

Jonathan Djanogly: The aim of the tender process as stated in the Legal Services Commission's (LSC) response to consultation "Civil Bid Rounds for 2010 Contract: A Consultation Response" included the objective to
	'commission services that maintain service standards and ensure easier client access to advice'.
	The LSC published a full impact assessment alongside its consultation response. Like the final policy, the full impact assessment was informed by responses to the LSC's formal 12-week consultation.
	As part of the tender process for civil contracts starting later this year, matter starts have been made available equal to those used in the period September 2008 to August 2009. The tender process is not yet complete, however it is expected that over one million acts of assistance will be delivered during the current financial year and overall as a result no reduction in access to advice for clients is expected.
	Together with representative bodies (the Advice Services Alliance, the Legal Aid Practitioners' Group and Resolution) the LSC will be conducting a review of the outcomes of the tender process and will consider in detail any areas of concern identified.
	Through the new Criminal Defence Service contract, the LSC has secured sufficient contracted providers to ensure that the safety net used by those that do not have their own solicitor-that is the duty rota scheme-at every police station and court are adequately staffed. Therefore, the most vulnerable will continue to gain access to legal advice and representation.

Legal Aid

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he has made an assessment of the likely effects of a reduction in the number of suppliers of legal aid services on employment at  (a) qualified and  (b) support level in the legal sector.

Jonathan Djanogly: Through the Access to Justice Act 1999, the Legal Services Commission (LSC) is tasked with maintaining the Community Legal Service for the purpose of promoting the availability to individuals of and, in particular, for securing (within the resources made available, and priorities set, in accordance with the Act) that individuals have access to services that effectively meet their needs.
	The recent tender process for civil legal contracts has sought to meet this objective. The tender process has not yet concluded and final numbers of legal aid providers delivering work under the new contract will only be known after the appeals and pre-contract verification processes are complete and as such no final assessment on the impact on the legal profession has taken place. Expenditure on civil legal aid is expected to remain unchanged as a result of the tender process and it is therefore not anticipated that this process will significantly affect the number of legal advisers employed overall although as not all organisations have been successful in their tenders it is likely that there will be some movement of legal advisers from unsuccessful organisations to successful ones.
	The new Criminal Defence Service (CDS) contract came into effect on 14 July 2010. The number of providers contracted to undertake general CDS work across England and Wales remained stable.
	This contract introduced new standards for undertaking prison law work, to ensure that only those firms with suitably experienced fee earners would qualify for the contract. This has led to a reduction in the number of providers that are able to undertake prison law work. It should be noted that the vast majority of those that did not qualify for a contract had undertaken minimal numbers of cases in the past. The LSC are confident that the remaining contracted providers are more than able to meet the demand in this area.

Legal Aid

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what information his Department holds on the monetary value of contributions made to the Legal Aid Fund by means of  (a) monthly contributions and  (b) charges on assets recovered by those who have been granted support from the Fund.

Jonathan Djanogly: Details of income due from funded clients are published under note 2 of the Legal Services Commission's (LSC's) annual report and accounts.
	During 2008-09, the latest period for which the accounts have been published, the total amount recoverable by the LSC for legal aid work in civil matters under the statutory charge was £47 million. This included both monies which have been secured on assets and unsecured damages, where the statutory charge applies. Additionally, £16 million was recoverable by way of contributions.
	From July 2010 the Crown court means testing scheme has been in operation across England and Wales. A number of defendants are now the subject of orders requiring them to contribute to the costs of their case from their income. We anticipate that numbers will increase substantially as more defendants are assessed as being liable to contribute to their costs.

Legal Aid

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the legal aid budget was in respect of  (a) criminal case legal aid and  (b) family and social welfare legal aid in each of the last three years.

Jonathan Djanogly: There is no separate budget for criminal cases and family and social welfare law; funding forms part of the Department's overall departmental expenditure limit.
	Legal aid expenditure on criminal matters, family and social welfare law during each of the past three years for which the Legal Services Commission's accounts have been published are provided in the following table, in cash terms.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Criminal matters  Family  Social welfare 
			 2006-07 1,171 549 108 
			 2007-08 1,179 583 106 
			 2008-09 1,187 624 123

Legal Services Commission: Contracts

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether the Legal Services Commission (LSC) is permitted to award more matter starts than requested by an applicant for tenders in the LSC contract commencing on 14 October 2010.

Jonathan Djanogly: Organisations may not tender for more work than is available in a procurement area or access Point, nor may they tender for more work than the maximum permitted by the capacity of their staff. The tender rules, as currently set down, do not allow the Legal Services Commission to award more NMS than have been applied for.

Magistrates Courts: Keighley

Kris Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  under what budgetary headings the estimate of £263,411 for the 2009-10 operating costs excluding staff and non-cash costs of Keighley magistrates court, as referred to in Consultation Paper CP13/10, Proposal on the provision of court services in North and West Yorkshire, was made;
	(2)  under what budgetary headings the estimate of around £225,000 for HMCS investment in backlog maintenance at Keighley magistrates court, as referred to in Consultation Paper CP13/10, Proposal on the provision of court services in North and West Yorkshire, was made;
	(3)  under what budgetary headings the estimate of £130,884 for the 2009-10 operating cost excluding staff and non-cash costs of Keighley county court, as referred to in Consultation Paper CP13/10, Proposal on the provision of court services in North and West Yorkshire, was made;
	(4)  under what budgetary headings the estimate of around £475,000 for KMCS investment in backlog maintenance at Keighley county court, as referred to in Consultation Paper CP13/10, Proposal on the provision of court services in North and West Yorkshire, was made.

Jonathan Djanogly: The budgetary headings under which estimates were made of operating costs (excluding staff, non-cash and judicial costs) and backlog maintenance costs at Keighley magistrates court, sitting at Bingley, and Keighley county court, are listed as follows:
	 Keighley  m agistrates (Bingley)- O perating costs
	Property Rents
	Rates
	Off-Site Storage
	Hire of office/courtroom related equipment
	Hire of Photocopiers-VAT Recoverable
	Other Property Services
	Other Expenditure-Other
	Catering-Office Drinking Water
	Printing Postage and Office expenditure
	Fuel and Utilities
	Service Costs
	Telecomms
	Maintenance
	 Keighley  m agistrates (Bingley)- B acklog maintenance
	Building Fabric
	Decoration
	Electrical/Lighting
	External Works
	Fire Works
	Heating/Plumbing
	Roof
	Security
	 Keighley  c ounty-Operating costs
	Property Rents
	Rates
	Service Charges
	Hire of office/courtroom related equipment
	Hire of Photocopiers-VAT Recoverable
	Other Property Services
	Other Expenditure-Other
	Printing Postage and Office expenditure
	IT Services
	Fuel and Utilities
	Telecomms
	Maintenance
	 Keighley  c ounty-Backlog maintenance
	Alarms
	Building Fabric
	Decoration
	Electrical/Lighting
	External Works
	Fire Works
	Heating/Plumbing
	Roof

Medway Secure Training Centre

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many referrals have there been to children and adolescent mental health services of  (a) boys and  (b) girls held at Medway secure training centre in each month since April 1998.

Crispin Blunt: Medway STC provide mental health provision for all children and young people placed at the centre and have access to external specialist provision.
	One female young person was referred to hospital for psychiatric treatment from Medway in 2006.

Medway Secure Training Centre

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many children received into Medway secure training centre in each year since 1998 have been assessed as having an identified  (a) learning and  (b) physical disability.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows the number of young people admitted into Medway STC with a statement of educational needs relating to learning disabilities. Medway STC has only recorded this data centrally from August 2004 to date.
	Medway STC has no record of any young person placed at the centre with a physical disability.
	
		
			   Number of young people with a learning disability 
			 2004(1) 0 
			 2005 5 
			 2006 1 
			 2007 3 
			 2008 8 
			 2009 7 
			 2010 6 
			 (1) Records commenced August 2004

Medway Secure Training Centre

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many children received into Medway secure training centre since April 1998 have been assessed as having an identified mental health problem.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows the number of young people received into Medway STC who have been assessed as having an identified mental health problem. These data are only available from 2006 to date.
	These figures are based solely on clinical diagnoses made prior to young people's admission to Medway STC.
	
		
			   Number 
			  2006  
			 ADHD 5 
			 Depression 1 
			 2006 total 6 
			   
			  2007  
			 ADHD 32 
			 CD 3 
			 Aspergers 2 
			 Autism 2 
			 Attachment disorder 2 
			 Depression 2 
			 Sleep disorder 1 
			 Opposition defiance disorder 2 
			 2007 total 46 
			   
			  2008  
			 ADHD 43 
			 Autism 1 
			 Attachment disorder 2 
			 Conduct disorder 4 
			 2008 total 50 
			   
			  2009  
			 ADHD 29 
			 Autism 1 
			 Aspergers 1 
			 Obsessive compulsive disorder 2 
			 Conduct disorder 5 
			 Opposition defiance disorder 4 
			 Attachment disorder 3 
			 2009 total 45 
			   
			  2010 (to date)  
			 ADHD 5 
			 2010 total 5

Medway Secure Training Centre

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many assaults by  (a) boys and  (b) girls against staff have been recorded at Medway secure training centre in each month since April 1998; and how many such assaults required external medical help.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows the number of assaults where the victim was not a young person, this includes staff and visitors, and of these how many resulted in injury requiring external medical help. The data cannot be broken down by gender of perpetrator.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and may be subject to change over time.
	
		
			   Number of assaults where the victim was not a young person  Number of assaults where the victim was not a young person resulting in injury requiring external medical help  Proportion of assaults requiring external medial help (percentage) 
			  2007
			 April 14 0 0 
			 May 12 0 0 
			 June 17 0 0 
			 July 49 0 0 
			 August 22 1 5 
			 September 16 0 0 
			 October 32 0 0 
			 November 27 0 0 
			 December 20 0 0 
			 
			  2008
			 January 24 0 0 
			 February 19 1 5 
			 March 28 0 0 
			 April 26 0 0 
			 May 9 0 0 
			 June 24 1 4 
			 July 31 0 0 
			 August 7 0 0 
			 September 33 1 3 
			 October 23 0 0 
			 November 10 0 0 
			 December 14 0 0 
			 
			  2009
			 January 9 0 0 
			 February 22 0 0 
			 March 60 0 0

Medway Secure Training Centre

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many assaults by staff against children have been recorded at Medway secure training centre in each year since April 1998; and how many such assaults required external medical help.

Crispin Blunt: There have been no recorded incidents of assault by staff against children and/or young people at Medway STC between April 1998 and to date.

Medway Secure Training Centre

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many assaults by  (a) boys and  (b) girls against other children have been recorded at Medway secure training centre in each month since April 1998; and how many such assaults required external medical help.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows the number of assaults where the victim was a young person and of these how many resulted in injury requiring external medical help. These data cannot be broken down by gender of perpetrator.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and may be subject to change over time.
	
		
			  Month  Number of assaults by young people where the victim was a young person  Number of assaults by young people where the victim was a young person resulting in injury requiring external medical help  Proportion of assaults requiring external medical help (percentage) 
			  2007
			 April 8 0 0 
			 May 8 0 0 
			 June 10 0 0 
			 July 13 0 0 
			 August 16 0 0 
			 September 12 0 0 
			 October 10 0 0 
			 November 16 0 0 
			 December 22 0 0 
			 
			  2008
			 January 21 0 0 
			 February 21 0 0 
			 March 11 0 0 
			 April 9 2 22 
			 May 6 0 0 
			 June 21 0 0 
			 July 19 0 0 
			 August 13 0 0 
			 September 12 0 0 
			 October 15 0 0 
			 November 12 0 0 
			 December 8 0 0 
			 
			  2009
			 January 5 0 0 
			 February 11 0 0 
			 March 8 1 13

Medway Secure Training Centre

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) boys and  (b) girls were received into Medway secure training centre for a second time within a year of their first reception in each year since 1999.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows the number of boys and girls who were received into Medway STC for a second time within a year of their first reception. The data are available only from 2003 to date.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and may be subject to change over time.
	
		
			  Number 
			   Male  Female 
			 2003 5 4 
			 2004 12 13 
			 2005 19 19 
			 2006 14 22 
			 2007 5 15 
			 2008 9 20 
			 2009 24 8 
			 2010 7 1

Medway Secure Training Centre

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) boys and  (b) girls have been received into Medway secure training centre (i) twice, (ii) three times and (iii) four times or more since 1998.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows how many boys and girls have been received into Medway secure training centre (i) twice, (ii) three times and (iii) four times or more since 1998.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and may be subject to change over time.
	
		
			   Male  Female 
			 Twice 85 99 
			 Thrice 18 11 
			 Four times + 2 5

Medway Secure Training Centre

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what average length of time was spent by  (a) boys and  (b) girls on remand at Medway secure training centre in 2009.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows the average length of time in days that was spent by  (a) boys and  (b) girls who were remanded at Medway secure training centre for custodial episodes ended in 2008-09.
	An episode refers to a period a young person has spent in custody and it is possible that one young person can start more than one custodial episode at different points of each year for different offences or for change in legal basis for detention, such as remand to sentence.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and may be subject to change over time.
	
		
			   Average length of time in days for remanded young people at Medway STC in 2008-09 
			 Boys 94 
			 Girls 37

Medway Secure Training Centre

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average length of sentence was for  (a) boys and  (b) girls received into Medway secure training centre in 2009.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows the average length of time spent in custody in days by  (a) boys and  (b) girls who were sentenced at Medway secure training centre for custodial episodes ended in 2008-09.
	An episode refers to a period a young person has spent in custody and it is possible that one young person can start more than one custodial episode at different points of each year for different offences or for change in legal basis for detention, such as remand to sentence.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and may be subject to change over time.
	
		
			  Average length of time spent in custody by young people at Medway STC in 2008-09 
			  Gender  Days 
			 Boys 100 
			 Girls 79

Medway Secure Training Centre

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many referrals there have been to the local children safeguarding board in respect of children held at Medway secure training centre in each month since April 1998.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows the numbers of referrals to the local safeguarding children board in respect of children and/or young people held at Medway secure training centre during the period June 2001 to date. Local safeguarding children boards were introduced in statute in the Children's Act 2004, but not fully operational until 2006 when the revised "Working Together to Safeguard Children" was published. Previously to this, they were called Area Child Protection Committees.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and may be subject to change over time.
	
		
			   Number 
			  2001  
			 June 5 
			 July 1 
			 August 0 
			 September 4 
			 October 3 
			 November 0 
			 December 0 
			 Total 13 
			   
			  2002  
			 January 1 
			 February 2 
			 March 1 
			 April 5 
			 May 1 
			 June 3 
			 July 2 
			 August 1 
			 September 1 
			 October 1 
			 November 1 
			 December 0 
			 Total 19 
			   
			  2003  
			 January 4 
			 February 2 
			 March 0 
			 April 3 
			 May 3 
			 June 8 
			 July 8 
			 August 2 
			 September 5 
			 October 4 
			 November 4 
			 December 7 
			 Total 50 
			   
			  2004  
			 January 4 
			 February 2 
			 March 2 
			 April 2 
			 May 4 
			 June 1 
			 July 3 
			 August 3 
			 September 3 
			 October 1 
			 November 5 
			 December 2 
			 Total 32 
			   
			  2005  
			 January 2 
			 February 1 
			 March 2 
			 April 5 
			 May 3 
			 June 2 
			 July 3 
			 August 7 
			 September 6 
			 October 4 
			 November 1 
			 December 1 
			 Total 37 
			   
			  2006  
			 January 2 
			 February 0 
			 March 1 
			 April 0 
			 May 4 
			 June 4 
			 July 1 
			 August 4 
			 September 2 
			 October 5 
			 November 2 
			 December 1 
			 Total 26 
			   
			  2007  
			 January 1 
			 February 1 
			 March 8 
			 April 1 
			 May 3 
			 June 0 
			 July 7 
			 August 1 
			 September 0 
			 October 1 
			 November 1 
			 December 7 
			 Total 31 
			   
			  2008  
			 January 0 
			 February 1 
			 March 3 
			 April 2 
			 May 1 
			 June 1 
			 July 1 
			 August 4 
			 September 1 
			 October 2 
			 November 3 
			 December 0 
			 Total 19 
			   
			  2009  
			 January 0 
			 February 5 
			 March 6 
			 April 1 
			 May 6 
			 June 1 
			 July 4 
			 August 2 
			 September 5 
			 October 1 
			 November 1 
			 December 2 
			 Total 34 
			   
			  2010  
			 January 1 
			 February 4 
			 March 5 
			 April 3 
			 May 11 
			 June 2 
			 July 3 
			 August 3 
			 Total 32

National Probation Service: Secondment

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will offer incentives to probation service staff to undertake secondments in the voluntary sector.

Crispin Blunt: The Government have made a commitment to putting voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises at the centre of our mission to deliver better public services and build the Big Society. Individual probation trusts may offer their employees appropriate development opportunities in areas that are aligned to trust objectives, including the voluntary sector.

Opiate Dependent Litigation Scheme

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much compensation has been paid out under the Opiate Dependent Litigation Scheme in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: In 2006 the Prison Service settled 197 claims from prisoners who claimed that their drug detoxification treatment was inadequate. The claims concerned medical practice in prisons dating back to the late 1990s. Legal advice was that the standard of care they received fell short of acceptable medical standards and the Prison Service's guidelines for dealing with opiate dependent prisoners. On the basis of strong legal advice it was decided to settle these cases out of court in order to minimise costs to the taxpayer. If the claims had proceeded to trial they would have resulted in considerably more expense to the public purse. Each case was settled for £3,807.10 (a total of £749,998.7).
	Following the payment of compensation the claimants' legal costs were settled for a total of £696,198.

Powers of Attorney

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what the average time taken by the Office of Public Guardianship is to register each Lasting Power of Attorney it receives;
	(2)  how many Lasting Powers of Attorney have been registered since their inception;
	(3)  what proportion of lasting powers of attorney were rejected on grounds of error in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jonathan Djanogly: Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) were introduced by the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which was fully implemented on 1 October 2007. All LPAs must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before they can be used.
	Provided that all submitted documentation is in order, the OPG currently registers an LPA within 13 weeks. This includes a six-week statutory waiting period.
	Since 1 October 2007 the OPG has registered some 200,000 LPAs. These can be broken down further as follows:
	36,000 health and welfare LPAs
	164,000 property and affairs LPAs
	The OPG makes every effort to ensure that, even where there are errors in an application, corrections are made and a registered LPA results. In the period 1 October 2007 to 2 September 2010, 3% of LPA forms were rejected as invalid due to unrecoverable errors in completion.

Prisoner Escapes

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners absconded from each prison in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: The number of prisoners who have absconded from each prison in England and Wales in each of the last five years is shown in the following table.
	Despite a rising prison population, the number of absconds has been falling year on year thanks in part to better security procedures within prisons and a more proactive approach by many open prisons, the police and CPS in prosecuting those absconding. Last year was the lowest level of absconds on record.
	Every abscond is reported to the police. 96% of those absconding are re-captured and returned to custody.
	
		
			  Absconds from prisons in England and Wales in the last five years, broken down by (a) establishment and (b) year 
			  Number 
			  Establishment name  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 Acklington 1 - - - - 
			 Ashwell 1 - - - - 
			 Askham Grange 12 14 7 11 4 
			 Blantyre House 1 1 - - - 
			 Dover 3 - - - - 
			 East Sutton Park 2 4 2 - - 
			 Ford 110 96 62 47 53 
			 Grendon 36 34 11 21 10 
			 Haslar 3 - - - 2 
			 Hewell(1) - - - - 16 
			 Hewell Grange(1) 24 24 13 15 - 
			 Highpoint - - 1 - - 
			 Hollesley Bay 32 16 21 19 17 
			 Kirkham 120 74 54 65 42 
			 Kirklevington 4 2 - - 6 
			 Leyhill 102 66 37 55 57 
			 Lindholme 4 - - 1 1 
			 Moorland 73 49 41 23 35 
			 Morton Hall - - 1 - - 
			 New Hall 1 - - - - 
			 North Sea Camp 33 49 48 46 17 
			 Norwich (Britten House Open Element) 8 2 2 1 1 
			 Pentonville 1 - - - - 
			 Risley - - - - 1 
			 Shepton Mallet - 1 - - - 
			 Standford Hill 39 58 38 44 46 
			 Sudbury 77 76 78 55 23 
			 Thorn Cross 90 105 82 68 24 
			 Usk\Prescoed 19 9 9 8 6 
			 Verne - 1 - - - 
			 Wealstun(2) 74 28 46 32 - 
			 Escort 7 0 2 2 1 
			 Total 877 709 555 513 362 
			 (1) In 2008 HMP Hewell Grange merged with HMP Brockhill and HMP Blakenhurst to form HMP Hewell.(  2) In 2008 the open accommodation at HMP Wealstun was converted to a Category C closed establishment.   Note:  Data for 2009-10 will not be available until later in the year. 
		
	
	These figures have been drawn from live administrative data systems which may be amended at any time. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.

Prisoners: Foreigners

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps his Department is taking to monitor the number of foreign nationals in UK prisons; and what changes there have been in the number of such prisoners in the last two years.

Crispin Blunt: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and UKBA work closely together to ensure that those foreign national prisoners who have no right to remain in the UK are removed at the earliest opportunity. In 2009 NOMS and UKBA concluded a Service Level Agreement aimed primarily at better managing the number of time served foreign national prisoners (or immigration detainees) in prison and focused on improving the process for the management and removal of foreign national prisoners who met the criteria for deportation. A major element of this Service Level Agreement was the concentration of these prisoners within the male, category C estate. Foreign national prisoners with more than three months but less than three years to serve are allocated, where possible, to designated hub and spoke prisons.
	The main aim of this policy is to improve joint working throughout the removals process by embedding UKBA staff in "hub" prisons, who in turn service "spoke" prisons. Reducing the number of prisons with small FNP populations allows for more effective case-working of the identified group by UKBA and creates centres of expertise in the prison system for managing those foreign national prisoners who are most likely to be removed. Prisoners also benefit from improved information and access to UKBA, as well as earlier resolution of their cases.
	In June 2008, the number of foreign national prisoners held in England and Wales stood at 11,498 (14% of the prison population). In June 2010, the number had fallen to 11,135 (13%). During the same period the total prison population rose from 83,194 to 85,002.
	The management of foreign national prisoners in Scotland and in Northern Ireland is a matter for the relevant devolved administration.

Prisoners: Human Rights

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners have taken legal action against the Government and Government agencies under the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Crispin Blunt: The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. For example providing the information from the Ministry of Justice alone would involve the individual examination of several thousand files.
	NOMS records litigation claims by the main type of allegation. Claims often make reference to alleged breaches of human rights. In some cases the claim will be brought wholly on an HRA basis. In others an HRA basis of claim will be but one of a number of alleged grounds of claim.

Prisoners: Marriage

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) marriages and  (b) civil partnership ceremonies have taken place in prisons in the last three years.

Crispin Blunt: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) does not keep a central record of the number of marriages or civil partnership ceremonies that take place in prisons. This information could be obtained only by contacting every prison establishment individually which would incur disproportionate cost.

Prisoners: Telephones

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidance his Department issues to the Prison Service on monitoring the telephone calls of sex offenders serving custodial sentences; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: The telephone calls of all prisoners are recorded and may be monitored, other than calls between prisoners and their legal advisers and the courts. Prisons refer to a range of guidance (as set out in the following list) when deciding whether to monitor the calls of a prisoner who has been convicted of a sexual offence. Some calls are monitored because of the offence the prisoner committed in order to protect the public. However, some telephone calls are monitored randomly or because of concerns about the risk that the prisoner poses to prison security. All of these situations may apply to a prisoner convicted of a sexual offence.
	Prison Service Order 4400-Prisoner Communications Chapter 4: Prisoners' Use of Telephones
	http://pso.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/PSO_4400_prisoner_ communications.doc
	The Public Protection Manual-Chapter 2-Child Contact Procedures
	http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/assets/documents/100048A6chap2_sec2_child_contact.doc
	The National Security Framework-Function 4.

Prisons

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department issues guidance to the Prison Service on the display of information provided by third parties in prisons; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: Requests to display information in prisons are dealt with on a case by case basis due to the wide and varied nature of prison establishments and the information they need to display.
	The layout of prison establishments varies greatly, as does the provision of notice boards and other means suitable for the display of information.
	The kind of information to be displayed also needs to be taken into account and some messages are only suitable for certain types of prisoners. Additionally, some information is intended only for prison staff and not for offenders.
	Decisions are taken by governors about the suitability of the information to be displayed for the type of offenders they manage. They also decide where in their establishments the information should be displayed.
	The National Offender Management Service can request that governors ensure information is displayed appropriately, but the decision about how the request is made locally.

Prisons

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisons have one or more prisoner representative groups; what estimate he has made of the number of prisoners who are members of such groups; and what funding his Department has provided for such groups in the last three years.

Crispin Blunt: The information requested is not collated centrally nor required to be recorded locally, and could be collated only by manual checking with individual establishments, which would incur disproportionate cost. However, Prison Service Order 4480 (Prisoners' Representative Associations), a copy of which has been placed in the House Library, sets out existing policy.
	The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) encourages prisoners to take responsibility for their actions and to help both themselves and their fellow prisoners. Representative committees exist in many establishments and these are often an effective way of communicating with, and getting feedback from, prisoners. Prisoner committees are purely local groups to involve prisoners in local issues and do not require or receive any funding.
	Governors and directors have discretion in deciding how far to allow prisoners representative groups to operate in their establishments. They must take account of local conditions and the implications for good order and discipline. They are also required to include prisoner representatives in local Race Equality Action Teams.

Prisons

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many times an accommodation fabric check has led to confiscation of items from a prisoner's cell in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: Accommodation fabric checks are one of the many effective searching measures employed by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) within prisons.
	The NOMS National Security Framework requires that prisons have arrangements in place for keeping records of searching and subsequent finds of illicit items, which will be confiscated when found. However, these details are not collated centrally. To provide the information requested would involve obtaining information from all prisons across the prison estate which could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Prisons: CCTV

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many closed circuit television cameras there are installed on prison premises; what estimate he has made of the number of offences recorded on such cameras in the latest period for which figures are available; and on how many occasions an offence recorded on such a camera has resulted in a prosecution in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: CCTV is among the range of technical aids governors deploy within prison establishments that are designed to enhance security.
	The National Offender Management Service does not compile figures on the use of CCTV in prisons centrally. There is no mandatory requirement for individual prisons to collate this data locally. The information requested could therefore be obtained only at disproportionate cost by asking each prison to carry out a survey of CCTV installations and to analyse any locally held records.

Prisons: Cumbria

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to build a prison in  (a) Carlisle constituency and  (b) neighbouring constituencies.

Crispin Blunt: In October 2009, the Ministry of Justice began a site search for sites suitable for 1,500 place prisons in the priority areas of North West England, North Wales, West Yorkshire and Greater London. A number of sites in the North West have been put forward, including in Carlisle.
	We will look in detail over the coming months at the sentencing frameworks for adult and young offenders, as well as the full range of penalties available in the criminal justice system.
	Long-term decisions on prison capacity programmes will be taken in the light of these policy developments. We will ensure that we meet prison capacity requirements more efficiently to improve value for money for the taxpayer and contribute savings to help reduce the budget deficit.

Prisons: Dogs

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on the use of dogs by the Prison Service in prisons.

Crispin Blunt: The National Offender Management Service have dog teams trained and accredited in six different areas of detection including drugs and arms and explosives searching, in addition to patrol and specialist incident support dog teams. The protocols and procedures for the use of prison dogs are based on need and will differ between specialities. The use of all prison dogs is set out in restricted Prison Service Orders, 1050 Prison Service Dogs Chapters 1 (Standards) and 2 (Training Aids); and 1053 External Patrols which are supported by local security protocols. All prison dogs deployed in the prison estate are fully accredited.

Prisons: Drugs

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners have  (a) undertaken and  (b) completed the 19-day drug detoxification programme in the latest period for which figures are available.

Paul Burstow: I have been asked to reply.
	In the period March to May 2010, 215 prisoners entered 14 day reduction programmes, which were taken in combination with a pre-detoxification five day stabilisation treatment programme. Of these 215 cases, 132 results of treatment were reported. Of these, 11 (8%) left treatment in an unplanned manner, and 121 (92%) completed treatment in a planned manner.

Prisons: Internet

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners have facilities to access the internet  (a) from their cell and  (b) from prison premises other than their cells.

Crispin Blunt: Figures recording how many prisoners are permitted access to the internet are not compiled centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by asking each prison to analyse local records.
	Selected prisoners who have undergone a thorough risk assessment are allowed supervised access to a very restricted number of specific learning sites on the internet for educational purposes.
	There are significant security processes in place to ensure that IT access is monitored and cannot be abused by prisoners.

Prisons: Lancashire

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to build a new prison in East Lancashire.

Crispin Blunt: In October 2009, the Ministry of Justice began a site search for sites suitable for 1,500 place prisons in the priority areas of North West England, North Wales, West Yorkshire and Greater London. A number of sites in the North West have been put forward, including in Lancashire.
	We will look in detail over the coming months at the sentencing frameworks for adult and young offenders, as well as the full range of penalties available in the criminal justice system.
	Long-term decisions on prison capacity programmes will be taken in the light of these policy developments. We will ensure that we meet prison capacity requirements more efficiently to improve value for money for the taxpayer and contribute savings to help reduce the budget deficit.

Reoffenders

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the re-offending rate was for  (a) men,  (b) women and  (c) those from ethnic minority backgrounds who have served a (i) custodial and (ii) community sentence in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: Tables 1 and 2 show the number and one year reoffending rate of adult offenders who were released from custody or commenced a court order under probation supervision in the first quarter of 2008. Table 1 gives a breakdown of reoffending rates by gender and index disposal, table 2 gives a breakdown by ethnicity and index disposal.
	
		
			  Table 1:  N umber of offenders and one year reoffending rate by gender and index disposal, Quarter 1 2008 
			  Gender  Index disposal  Number of offenders  Proportion of offenders who reoffend (percentage)  Number of offences per 100 offenders 
			 Male Custody 14,717 49.0 224.8 
			  Court orders(1) 31,932 37.0 124.6 
			  Total 46,649 40.8 156.2 
			  
			 Female Custody 1,382 53.9 296.2 
			  Court orders(1) 5,687 31.2 115.1 
			  Total 7,069 35.6 150.5 
			  
			 Total Custody 16,099 49.4 230.9 
			  Court orders(1) 37,619 36.1 123.2 
			  Total 53,718 40.1 155.5 
			 (1) Court orders include pre-Criminal Justice Act 2003 community sentences, community orders and suspended sentence orders. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2:  N umber of offenders and one year reoffending rate by ethnicity and index disposal, Quarter 1 2008 
			  Ethnicity  Index disposal  Number of offenders  Proportion who reoffend (percentage)  Number of offences per 100 offenders 
			 White Custody 13,125 51.8 248.7 
			  Court orders(1) 31,794 37.0 128.1 
			  Total 44,919 41.3 163.4 
			  
			 Black Custody 1,690 43.9 175.4 
			  Court orders(1) 2,950 37.3 114.6 
			  Total 4,640 39.7 136.8 
			  
			 Asian Custody 830 36.0 138.8 
			  Court orders(1) 1,773 31.1 93.6 
			  Total 2,603 32.7 108.0 
			  
			 Other Custody 178 28.7 94.4 
			  Court orders(1) 262 25.2 69.8 
			  Total 440 26.6 79.8 
			  
			 Not recorded Custody 276 21.4 89.1 
			  Court orders(1) 840 12.6 44.3 
			  Total 1,116 14.8 55.4 
			  
			 Total Custody 16,099 49.4 230.9 
			  Court orders(1) 37,619 36.1 123.2 
			  Total 53,718 40.1 155.5 
			 1 Court orders include pre-Criminal Justice Act 2003 community sentences, community orders and suspended sentence orders. 
		
	
	Reoffending rates shown here should not be used to make direct comparisons between different groups of offenders as there is no control for differences in offender characteristics.
	Data on reoffending by ethnicity should be treated with caution as the ethnicity data are derived from an operational policing system and reflect the officer's view of the offender's ethnicity. The classification offers neither the level of detail of other ethnic classifications nor the opportunity for the offender to classify their own ethnic group.
	Direct comparisons between the effectiveness of different sentences cannot be made. While the data for offenders commencing court orders show lower reoffending rates than offenders discharged from prison, it is important to note that offenders sentenced to prison have on average a higher probability of reoffending, based on their previous criminal history.
	Further information on adult reoffending is available at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/reoffending ofadults.htm

Reoffenders

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many programmes designed to reduce re-offending among  (a) men,  (b) women and  (c) those from ethnic minority backgrounds his Department funded in the last 12 months.

Crispin Blunt: Programmes are funded through establishment baseline funding and the general grant given to Probation Trusts. Information on which programmes have been funded could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	NOMS has developed and delivers a range of accredited offending behaviour programmes, designed to address a diverse range of offending. Other activities addressing issues such as accommodation, employment, health, and resettlement as well as interventions agreed locally often involving the community organisations also have a significant part to play.
	In addition there are a wide variety of non-accredited interventions delivered locally by prison establishments and probation trusts to meet the particular needs of offenders. Some of these will be funded through other sources.

Reoffenders

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people who have served an indeterminate sentence for public protection have re-offended after release; and what estimate he has made of the number of offences committed by such re-offenders in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: As at 13 September 2010, the National Offender Management Service has been notified of 11 offenders subject to indeterminate sentences of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) and who have been convicted of criminal offences committed following release on licence.
	The number of offences committed by the offenders broken down over each of the last five years is given in the table below. One offender reoffended on two separate occasions and so appears twice in the table.
	
		
			   Number of offenders  Number of offences 
			 2010 (1)4 4 
			 2009 6 8 
			 2008 2 2 
			 2007 0 0 
			 2006 0 0 
			 (1) For the period 1 January 2010 until 13 September 2010 
		
	
	These figures have been drawn from the Public Protection and Mental Health Group (PPMHG) database and internal PPMHG paper records. As with any large scale recording systems, they are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	It is for the independent Parole Board to determine whether IPP offenders should be released from custody on licence.

Trials: Shrewsbury Pickets

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what discussions he has had regarding a public inquiry into the trials of the Shrewsbury pickets in the 1970s; and what representations he has received on the publication of all documents relating to those trials.

Jonathan Djanogly: Neither my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Clarke) nor I have held any discussions about a public inquiry into the trials of the Shrewsbury pickets in the 1970s. We have, however recently received a request relating to the availability of information regarding the trials which we are currently considering.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcoholic Drinks: Prices

Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the administrative requirements on  (a) local authorities and  (b) retailers of implementing her Department's proposals to ban the sale of alcohol below cost price;
	(2)  whether her Department has offered guidance to local authorities considering policies to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol.

Theresa May: We are currently examining the proposal to prohibit the sale of alcohol below cost price, and a range of options is under consideration. The alcohol consultation "Re-balancing the Licensing Act" closed on 8 September. We will now make a full assessment of the administrative requirements of the proposal and its impacts on local authorities and businesses.
	The Home Office has not offered guidance to any local authorities concerning the introduction of a minimum unit price. We are currently undertaking a review of alcohol taxation and pricing, the outcome of which will help to set the Government's agenda, on which measures will be taken forward in relation to alcohol pricing.

Asylum

James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the effects on those awaiting asylum application determination of the requirement to use the Azure card system as a means of payment for goods and services.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency maintains a clear distinction between the two support regimes provided to asylum seekers awaiting a determination and failed asylum seekers who have exhausted the asylum process.
	Destitute asylum seekers still awaiting a determination on their asylum claim are eligible to receive cash support under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. All asylum seekers whose applications have been fully determined and have exhausted their appeal rights are required to leave the UK as soon as possible. Those failed asylum seekers who are destitute and unable to leave the UK immediately due to circumstances beyond their control are provided with more restrictive cashless support under section four of the 1999 Act. It is section 4 for which the Azure card is provided.
	The system of section 4 support is integral to the maintenance of a fair and consistent system of immigration control. The limitations on section 4 support reflects its temporary nature, and are necessary to avoid creating an incentive for failed asylum seekers to remain in the UK and placing additional pressure on limited public funds.

Asylum: Deportation

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the UK Border Agency has undertaken a review of its policy on dawn raids for the removal of failed asylum seekers and illegal immigrants as a result of the report by the independent chief inspector of the UK Border Agency.

Damian Green: Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 placed a statutory safeguarding duty for children on the UK Border Agency, which we take very seriously. On its introduction we reviewed our guidance for immigration officers undertaking home visits and we have clear guidance on the time of day a visit should take place.
	Where immigration officers are planning a visit all factors are considered. If a child or children are in a family that are being visited, a member of the team will be aware of them specifically and their welfare will be that staff member's prime concern. Visits to home addresses are undertaken as sensitively as possible.
	We keep our guidance and staff activity under continuous review and following the review of family removals by the independent chief inspector we have accepted that while our guidance is clear, there is some assurance work to be done. In particular we have committed to make sure that our officers are taking an individual approach to each case when planning visits and assessing when the best time to visit a family should be.

CCTV: Regulation

Mark Reckless: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to bring forward legislative proposals regulating the use of CCTV.

James Brokenshire: The Government are giving consideration to the key issues around the further regulation of CCTV and will be bringing forward proposals shortly.

Criminal Investigation: EU Action

Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the initial draft of the European Investigation Order.

Theresa May: I have not had any direct discussions with the Secretary of State for Justice regarding the European Investigation Order. He was among the Ministers who were consulted on the decision to opt in to the Order and Home Office and Ministry of Justice officials have however been in regular contact about the European Investigation Order since it was published.

Deportation

Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals of each country of origin were deported from the UK in each of the last 12 months.

Damian Green: The table showing the number of removals and voluntary departures from the United Kingdom, by country of nationality from July 2009 to June 2010 will be placed in the Library of the House.
	The Home Office publishes statistics on the number of persons removed or departed voluntarily from the UK on a quarterly and annual basis. These publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html

Entry Clearances: Pakistan

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens of Pakistan have been refused UK visas by entry clearance officers in Abu Dhabi in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Damian Green: A total of 80,000 Pakistani nationals have been refused UK visas by entry clearance officers in Abu Dhabi since one November 2008 when our visa section in Abu Dhabi assumed responsibility for processing all non-settlement visa applications lodged in Pakistan.
	This figure has been rounded and is based on management information (1 November 2008 to 30 June 2010). It is provisional and subject to change.

Immigration

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many immigration cases her Department recorded intercession by an hon. Member in 2009-10.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency do not keep statistics of the volume of correspondence from MPs that leads to intervention and any attempt to capture this information could be obtained only by the detailed examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.
	However, in the year 2009 the UK Border Agency received 66,320 inquiries by letter or email, and 25,322 inquiries by telephone, a total of 91,642 inquires from Members of Parliament.

Immigration Controls: English Language

Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps were taken to ensure that the new English language requirements for spouses joining British nationals are compatible with the relevant provisions of  (a) section 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and  (b) the European Convention on Human Rights.

Theresa May: We have taken appropriate steps in the development of the proposed new language requirements for spouses and partners to take into account the European Convention on Human Rights and in particular article eight (the right to respect for private and family life) of the convention.

Licensed Premises

Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many licences to sell alcohol for continuous 24-hour periods had been issued to each type of establishment in each local authority area on the most recent date for which figures are available;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the effect of implementation of proposals in her Department's consultation on Rebalancing the Licensing Act on the number of 24-hour alcohol licences in operation.

Theresa May: We are currently examining the proposal to prohibit the sale of alcohol below cost price, and a range of options are under consideration. The alcohol consultation "Re-balancing the Licensing Act" closed on 8 September. We will make a full assessment of the effect of the proposal on businesses, including those holding a 24-hour premise licence, in due course.
	7,178 premises licences were in force on 31 March 2009 in England and Wales for the sale or supply of alcohol for 24 hours in their standard timings (as reported by 96% of all licensing authorities). This made up 4% of all premises licences and club premises certificates authorised to sell alcohol. The possession of a 24-hour licence does not necessarily mean that the premises will choose to open for 24 hours.
	The coalition agreement made it clear that we intend to give local authorities and the police much stronger powers to remove licences from, or refuse to grant licences to, any premises that are causing problems.
	A full breakdown by premises type for each licensing authority can be found here:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/research/Number_of_premises_with_24_hour_alcohol_licences_by _premise_type_2009.xls
	 Source: Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing, England and Wales, April 2008 to March 2009.

Licensing Laws

Louise Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many appeals against decisions on licensing by local authorities there were in each local authority area in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how many premises licensed for the on-sale of alcohol there were in each local authority area in each of the last three years;
	(3)  how many designated licensing stress areas there are in each  (a) local authority area and  (b) region.

Theresa May: Data relating to the number of cumulative impact zones (CIZs) is included in table one.
	Data relating to appeals against decisions on licensing by local authorities over the last three years is included in tables 2-4.
	Data on the number of on-trade licensed premises over the last three years are included in tables 5-7.
	Copies of the tables will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
	Data for 2009-10 will be published on 29 September 2010.
	The coalition agreement made it clear that we intend to give local authorities and the police much stronger powers to remove licences from, or refuse to grant licences to, any premises that are causing problems.
	A full breakdown by premises type for each licensing authority can be found here:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/research/Number_of_premises_with_24_hour_alcohol_licences_by_ premise_type_2009.xls
	 Source:
	Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing, England and Wales, April 2008-March 2009.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to the letter of 29 July 2010 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr N. Kalbi.

Damian Green: I replied to the right hon. Gentleman on 16 September 2010.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to the letter of 30 July 2010 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr S. Parvaz.

Damian Green: I replied to the right hon. Member on behalf of the Home Secretary on 15 September.

National Crime Agency

Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what estimate she made of the cost to her Department of abolishing the Serious and Organised Crime Agency and establishing the National Crime Agency;
	(2)  pursuant to her Department's consultation on policing in the 21st century, whether the proposed border police force is to replace the UK Border Agency; and what estimate she has made of the effect of implementation of her proposals on the staffing level of  (a) the UK Border Agency,  (b) the Serious Organised Crime Agency and  (c) other policing bodies.

Theresa May: The recent consultation document, "Policing in the 21st Century", announced our intention to create a powerful new body of operational crime fighters-the National Crime Agency-to tackle serious organised crime more effectively and strengthen our borders.
	The National Crime Agency will include a Border Police Command. This will have the ability to task and co-ordinate those border enforcement operational staff who together will form the new Border Police capability.
	As I said in the House on 26 July, we will publish figures on costs and the business case for the National Crime Agency in due course.

Passports

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passport applications were returned to applicants because they  (a) used the wrong colour ink or  (b) were smiling in their photograph in the most recent period for which figures are available; and what her most recent estimate is of the cost of returning such an application to the applicant.

Damian Green: The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) does not keep records of how many passport applications were returned to applicants because they used the wrong colour of ink or were smiling in their photograph.
	Therefore, IPS is unable to provide an estimate of the cost of returning such an application to the applicant.

Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) adults and  (b) children taken into custody by the UK Border Agency in Scotland have been detained at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre since the ending of child detention at Dungavel was announced.

Damian Green: Records show that one family, comprising one adult and one child, taken into custody in Scotland, has been detained at Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre since 19 May 2010.
	These data are normally used for management information only and are not subject to the detailed checks that apply for National Statistics publications.

CABINET OFFICE

Cancer

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment his Department has made of the geographical incidence of cancer cases in England; and what cancer clusters it has identified.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 15 September 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary question asking what assessment has been made of the geographical incidence of cancer cases in England; and which cancer clusters have been identified where the rate in a locality is significantly above average. (15473)
	The Cancer Atlas of the United Kingdom and Ireland 1991-2000, describes the information on geographical patterns in cancer incidence and mortality across the four countries of the UK and Ireland for the 21 common cancers and relates these patterns to risk factors and socio-economic deprivation. This can be downloaded from the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk =14059&Pos=&ColRank=l&Rank=272
	Information on clusters of cancer cases is not readily available. Such analyses are normally carried out as part of individual scientific studies and are not published as official statistics.

Charities: Fraud

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on reducing the number of fraudulent charity collections.

Nick Hurd: While I meet with ministerial colleagues on a regular basis, I have not had any discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on this specific issue.

Citizenship

Bob Russell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made in establishing the National Citizenship Service programme; whether the programme will include emergency life skills training for participants; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Hurd: A commissioning process to select providers for National Citizen Service pilot schemes in summer 2011 was opened on 2 August. The deadline for completed expressions of interest was 25 August. Organisations or consortia successful at this stage have now been notified and invited to submit a full proposal by 6 October. In common with all Government programmes, the scale of the pilots will be subject to the spending review. Successful bidders will be announced in late October.
	The Government are committed to ensuring that National Citizen Service is a challenging and enjoyable experience for young people which equips them with skills to make a difference in their communities. It will be for NCS providers to define the precise activities young people will undertake on their NCS schemes, within the parameters set out in the NCS specification documents. As the NCS programme progresses, my department will continue to work with NCS providers on developing the content for training and skills development activities.

Civil Service Live Conference

Graham Evans: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the cost to the public purse was of the  (a) Central Office of Information,  (b) National School of Government,  (c) Civil Service in the English Regions,  (d) DirectGov and  (e) the Minority Ethnic Talent Association stand at Civil Service Live 2010.

Francis Maude: The costs of the stands at Civil Service Live 2010 are as follows:
	
		
			  Organisation  Cost i ncl .  VAT (£) 
			  (a) Central Office of Information 16,500 
			  (b) National School of Government 0 
			  (c) Civil Service in the English Regions 10,691 
			  (d) DirectGov 4,744 
			  (e) Minority Ethnic Talent Association 7,638

Data Protection

Jo Swinson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to bring forward legislation to enshrine a right to data, as set out in the coalition agreement; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: As set out in the coalition agreement, we will create a new 'right to data' so that government-held datasets can be requested and used by the public and then published on a regular basis.
	Following this commitment, a significant amount has already been achieved and the last few months have seen us deliver on our promise to radically shake-up what transparency means in government.
	We have already taken those important first steps and released information about people, jobs and salaries that had been previously unavailable data, so that people can start to hold politicians and government to account.
	We have set up the Transparency Board-which I chair-to keep pushing the transparency agenda and ensure our commitments continue to be implemented across government as announced by the Prime Minister-in his letter to Cabinet Ministers on 29 May-which include publication of important data held by central Government, quangos, local government and police forces.
	Furthermore, the draft Public Data Principles, published by the Transparency Board in June, provide a practical framework to promote re-use and open standards.
	We are continuing to develop our thinking on how best to implement the new 'right to data', supported by the Transparency Board.

Departmental Furniture

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many chairs his Department has purchased in each year since 1997; how much it spent in each such year; and what the five most expensive chairs purchased in each such year were.

Francis Maude: In 2000 and 2002, the Cabinet Office moved into the newly refurbished Admiralty Arch and 22/26 Whitehall respectively. Approximately 500 chairs of varying types were purchased on each occasion. Other than this, the Cabinet Office has only purchased chairs on an ad hoc basis to replace broken items or to meet health and safety requirements, because the chairs purchased in 2000-02 still have several years' life left in them.
	The detailed information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Manpower

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many staff  (a) his Department and  (b) the Prime Minister's Office employs to consider (i) departmental and (ii) national strategy; what output such staff are required to produce; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: As part of the Government's transparency agenda, the Cabinet Office will be publishing an organogram in the autumn which includes job descriptions and number of staff working in each area.

Departmental Pay

Pete Wishart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what average hourly rate his Department has paid to each employment agency for agency staff in each of the last three years.

Francis Maude: Cabinet Office has had a central contract in place for temporary administrative and clerical staff with Reed Recruitment Agency for the last three years. The hourly rate for agency workers supplied varies dependent on level of skills and knowledge required for an assignment.
	The average hourly charge exclusive of VAT paid by Cabinet Office to Reed Recruitment Agency for agency staff engaged over last three financial years is set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Average hourly charge for staff engaged under Reed contract (£) 
			 2007-08 12.83 
			 2008-09 14.40 
			 2009-10 14.93 
		
	
	Changes from year to year reflect the grade level and numbers of staff who have been employed in any particular year.
	While this contract provides the majority of the Department's agency workers, there are occasions where Management Units engage agency workers from other suppliers because individuals with relevant skills are not available via the central contract. Information on locally-arranged engagements is not held centrally. To provide the information requested would involve individual Management Units interrogating records of individual contracts for agency workers and collating average hourly rates. This could only be done by exceeding the threshold for disproportionate cost.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what severance payments have been paid to  (a) Ministers and  (b) special advisers in his Department who left office after the last general election.

Francis Maude: For severance payments made to Ministers who left the Cabinet Office after the last general election, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) on 5 July 2010,  Official Report, column 55W.
	The cost of severance paid out to special advisers who left office after the last general election will be published in due course.

Employment: Lone Parents

Helen Grant: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the average employment rate was for single parents aged  (a) under 20,  (b) 21 to 30,  (c) 31 to 40,  (d) over 40 years old in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 15 September 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question concerning what the average employment rate was for single parents aged  (a) under 20,  (b) 21 to 30,  (c) 31 to 40,  (d) over 40 years old in the most recent year for which figures are available. (14725)
	The information requested is given in the table attached. The information provided is from the Annual Population Survey (APS) household datasets for the period January to December 2008.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty as different samples give different results. That margin of uncertainty is captured in a confidence interval, defined by lower and upper bounds, such that the interval formed between the bounds would contain the unknown, true value for 95% of all possible samples.
	
		
			  Table 1 Employment rate( 1)  for lone parents by age: United Kingdom, January-December 2008 
			   Percentage  Lower bound( 2)  Upper bound( 2) 
			 Under 20 18.5 13.9 23.1 
			 21-30 40.2 38.1 42.3 
			 31-40 57.6 55.9 59.3 
			 Over 40 68.4 66.9 69.9 
			 (1) For people aged 16 to 64. (2) 95% confidence interval which means that from all samples possible there would be 95 per cent certainty that the true estimate would lie within the lower and upper bounds.  Source:  APS household datasets

Government Departments: ICT

Jo Swinson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he plans to reduce costs and improve services by smarter procurement of IT services for Government Departments; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: We have already taken major steps to reduce costs through the implementation of an immediate freeze on all new ICT spend above £1 million; a review of the Government's biggest projects, including ICT projects, to see where costs can be reduced or wasteful projects stopped altogether; and the renegotiation of contracts with major suppliers across government. We have also mandated that all spending on common goods and service categories by Government Departments, which will include some ICT spend, should take place through centrally agreed contracting vehicles.
	To underpin this, the Government are currently working towards publishing a Government ICT Strategy, which will help Government to become a better and more intelligent buyer of ICT.

Ministerial Policy Advisers: Redundancy Pay

Pete Wishart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 5 July 2010,  Official Report, column 434W, on Ministerial policy advisers: redundancy pay, when he expects to publish details of severance payments made to special advisers in each department made redundant at the general election.

Francis Maude: The cost of severance payments made to special advisers made redundant at the last general election is expected to be published before the end of the year.

Older People

David Amess: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many  (a) male and  (b) female centenarians there were in each (i) constituency and (ii) region in England and Wales in each of the last three years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated September 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many (a) male and (b) female centenarians there were in England and Wales in each of the last three years, broken down by (i) constituency and (ii) region (15637).
	Population estimates for the very elderly (including centenarians) are published by the Office for National Statistics for England and Wales combined. The table below contains the estimated number of centenarians for the latest three years, 2006 to 2008.
	
		
			  Estimated number of centenarians, 2006-08, England and Wales 
			   2006  2007  2008 
			 Males 1,100 1,200 1,300 
			 Females 7,500 8,100 8,400 
			 Total 8,600 9,300 9,600 
			  Note:  Figures rounded to nearest hundred. 
		
	
	Estimates are not produced for the number of centenarians broken down by constituency or region.

Personal Income

John Stevenson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what the average income of households in  (a) the UK,  (b) Cumbria and  (c) Carlisle was on the latest date for which figures are available;
	(2)  what the average income of individuals in  (a) the UK,  (b) Cumbria and  (c) Carlisle was on the latest date for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated September 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions asking what the average income of individuals in (a) the UK, (b) Cumbria and (c) Carlisle was at the latest date for which figures are available, (014665); and, what the average income of households in (a) the UK, (b) Cumbria and (c) Carlisle was at the latest date for which figures are available. (14666)
	Table 1 shows the estimated average net weekly equivalised household income (both before and after housing costs) in the UK in 2008/09 and in Cumbria and Carlisle in 2007/08 at 2008/09 prices where data are available. Incomes are presented net of income tax payments, National Insurance contributions and Council tax. The incomes are equivalised to take account of each household's size and composition, in: recognition of how these affect their standard of living. Data for individuals are not available.
	The estimates provided for the UK are based on data from the Households Below Average Income series produced by the Department for Work and Pensions, and small area statistics for Cumbria and Carlisle produced by the ONS.
	These estimates, as with any involving sample surveys, are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Table 1: Average net weekly equivalised( 1)  household income( 2)  in the UK, Cumbria and Carlisle, 2008/09( 3,4) 
			  £ per week 
			   Median  Mean 
			   Before housing costs  After housing costs  Before housing costs  After housing costs 
			 United Kingdom 407 343 507 433 
			 Cumbria - - 444 403 
			 Carlisle(5) - - 447 403 
			 (1) Data are based on the modified OECD equalisation factors which account for variations in household size and composition between survey years. (2) Household incomes are presented net of income tax payments, national insurance contributions and council tax. Data for individuals are not available. (3) Estimates for the UK are for 2008-09. Estimates for Cumbria and Carlisle are for 2007-08 in 2006-09 prices. (4 )Housing costs include rent (gross of housing benefit), water charges, mortgage interest payments, structural insurance, ground rent and service charges. (5) Data are for the 2010 parliamentary constituency boundary.  Source: Department for Work and Pensions, and Office for National Statistics

Public Sector: Trade Unions

Sajid Javid: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of the public sector workforce in  (a) each Government Department and  (b) each other public body are trades union members.

Francis Maude: According to the Labour Force Survey, in the fourth quarter of 2009, an estimated 56.2% of employees in the UK's public sector were members of a trade union.
	These figures cannot be disaggregated to individual public sector employers.

Public Sector: Wales

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will rank by proportion and number public sector workers in each constituency in North Wales in descending order of magnitude.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated September 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the ranking of percentage and number of public sector workers for each constituency in North Wales in descending order. (15683)
	I regret that estimates of public sector workers on a. constituency basis are not available. Figures at a government office region are available from the Public Sector Employment release. Further information on these figures can be found at the National Statistics website:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk

Strategy Unit

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will place in the Library a copy of the full Fundamental Savings Review document prepared by the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit in 2005-06.

Francis Maude: The Fundamental Savings Review was published by Her Majesty's Treasury as Releasing the resources to meet the challenges ahead: value for money in the 2007 comprehensive spending review and is available from its website at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/csr07_releasingre sources1_130706.pdf
	A copy will also be placed in the Library of the House.

Street Collection Permits

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many street collection permits were granted by each local authority in each of the last five years.

Nick Hurd: Licenses for street and house to house collections are generally granted by local licensing authorities in England and Wales and records are not kept centrally.

Unemployment

John Stevenson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people have been unemployed for  (a) under 12 months,  (b) between one year and five years and (c) over five years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 15 September 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people have been unemployed for (a) under 12 months, (b) between one year and five years and (c) over five years. 15588
	The table provided shows Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates covering the information requested.
	
		
			  Unemployment levels for people aged 16 and over by duration , t hree month periods ending June, 2010 ,  United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			   Thousand 
			 12 months and under *1,630 
			 Between 1 and 5 years *721 
			 5 years and over ***78 
			 Total(1) *2,433 
			 (1 )Includes those who did not state their duration of unemployment.  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV-for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220.  Key: * 0 ≤ CV<5%-Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise ** 5 ≤ CV <10%-Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 ≤ CV <20%-Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ≥ 20%-Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes CV = Coefficient of Variation  Note: It should be noted that the above estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels mobile home sites etc.).  Source: Labour Force Survey

Unemployment: Carlisle

John Stevenson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people in Carlisle constituency have been unemployed for (a) under 12 months, (b) between one year and five years and (c) over five years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated September 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people in Carlisle constituency have been unemployed for (a) under 12 months, (b) between one year and five years and (c) over five years. (15587)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. However, estimates of unemployment for the requested durations and geography are not available.
	As an alternative, in Table 1 we have provided the number of persons resident in the Carlisle constituency, in August 2010, who have been claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for (a) up to 52 weeks, (b) over 52 weeks and up to 260 weeks and (c) over 260 weeks.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of persons claiming jobseeker's allowance by duration of claim residing in Carlisle constituency-August 2010 
			   Number 
			 Up to 52 weeks 1,490 
			 Over 52 weeks and up to 260 weeks 195 
			 Over 260 weeks 0 
			 Total 1,685 
			  Note: Data rounded to the nearest five.  Source: Jobcentre Plus administrative system

Voluntary Work: Young People

Helen Grant: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made on implementation of his proposals for a National Citizen Service; and what recent discussions he has had with  (a) youth charities,  (b) social enterprises and  (c) business on the implementation of the scheme.

Nick Hurd: A commissioning process to select providers for NCS pilot schemes in summer 2011 was opened on 2 August. The deadline for completed expressions of interest was 25 August.
	Organisations or consortiums successful at this stage have now been notified and invited to submit a full proposal by 6 October. In common with all Government programmes, the scale of the pilots will be subject to the spending review. Successful bidders will be announced in late October.
	I have discussed the development of NCS with a variety of organisations in the youth, social enterprise and private sectors; their input to the development of the scheme is very important and I will continue to engage with all sectors as the scheme progresses.

TRANSPORT

A417: Accidents

Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost to the public purse of emergency services attending incidents called out at and in the vicinity of the A417 between Nettleton Down and Gloucester was in the last 12 months.

Michael Penning: No estimate of the cost is held by the Department for Transport. Highways Agency traffic officers are not classed as an emergency service, their role is to manage the traffic on motorways and key trunk 'A' roads in England, where they perform a number of control room and on-road functions.
	Specifically the role of the Traffic Officer Service involves:
	managing incidents, except where there is loss of life, injury or potential criminal activity;
	setting signs and signals and answering emergency roadside telephones;
	arranging the removal of damaged or broken down/abandoned vehicles;
	removing debris and other obstructions from the carriageway.

Airports

Alan Haselhurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish the National Policy Statement for Airports for consultation.

Theresa Villiers: The Government will make an announcement on national policy statements in due course.

Aviation: Security

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of whether the use of body scanners at London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester airports is in compliance with Article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent representations he has received from religious groups on the use of body scanners at UK airports;
	(3)  what penalty will be imposed on airport operators that breach the Interim Code of Practice for the Acceptable Use of Advanced Imaging Technology in an Aviation Security Environment;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of alternative methods of security screening available for airport passengers who do not wish to be scanned by a body scanner on religious or medical grounds.

Theresa Villiers: The Government recognise that the use of security scanners may engage issues relevant to human rights. However, such rights are not absolute and the Government believe that the use of security scanners as an aviation security measure at UK airports is necessary, proportionate and legitimate.
	Security scanners have, been deployed in the interests of protecting national security, public safety and the prevention and detection of crime, and the Government believe that their use is consistent with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
	The Government have received several responses from religious-based organisations to the public consultation on the interim code of practice for the use of security scanners in aviation security, which closed on 19 July. The Government are examining all of the responses before deciding on the next steps.
	The Code of Practice forms part of a Direction on airport operators made under the Aviation Security Act 1982. The penalties for failing to comply with a directed requirement are set out in the 1982 Act.
	The Government assess that the only alternative that would reveal carefully concealed items would be an intimate hand search, conducted in private and which may involve the loosening and removal of clothing. The Government believe that this, by its nature, would be far more intrusive, and a much greater invasion of privacy, than the use of a security scanner. Such searches raise issues about the training, staff and resource burdens that carrying out such searches would impose on airport operators, and the impact on passenger throughput times at security checkpoints. However, this issue is being carefully considered in light of the public consultation before decisions are taken on the future use of security scanners.

Bus Services: Finance

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to maintain current funding levels for the Bus Service Operators Grant for the next three years.

Norman Baker: An impact assessment was published in March 2008 alongside a consultation document on options for bus subsidy reform. A subsequent impact assessment was published in December 2009. Decisions on the future levels of Bus Service Operators Grant will be taken as part of the spending review.

Bus Services: Rural Areas

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for future funding levels for the Bus Service Operators Grant in rural areas.

Norman Baker: The Government will consider Bus Service Operators Grant as part of the spending review. Decisions will be made, and announced, in due course.

Bus Services: Rural Areas

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has made an assessment of the likely effects on the level of provision of public bus services in rural areas of the ending of the Bus Service Operators Grant.

Norman Baker: An impact assessment was published in March 2008 alongside a consultation document on options for bus subsidy reform. A subsequent impact assessment was published in December 2009. Decisions on the future levels of Bus Service Operators Grant will be taken as part of the spending review.

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cars used the assisted crossing service when using the Dartford Crossing in each of the last 10 years.

Michael Penning: A detailed analysis of the use of the assisted crossing service was carried out between 1 May and 30 June 2009. This found that 49 drivers were helped to make 160 assisted crossings. Of these, one driver was assisted 34 times, one 17 times and one 15 times; most of the remaining drivers were assisted occasionally, averaging fewer than one crossing per week.
	Following this review, an operational decision was made to withdraw from providing assistance from 1 August 2009, in advance of a new contract coming into effect.

Dee Harbour Revision Order

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he expects the Dee Harbour Revision Order to be approved by his Department by the end of 2010.

Michael Penning: I expect this application to be determined before the end of 2010, subject to satisfactory completion of statutory processes.

Dee Harbour Revision Order

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date the Dee Harbour Revision Order was first submitted to his Department for approval.

Michael Penning: This application was first submitted to the Department for Transport on 20 January 2005.
	The Environment Agency applied for a harbour revision order in January 2005 the effect of which would be to confer powers on the agency to facilitate the implementation of the Port Marine Safety Code, modernise the agency's conservancy functions and enable ship dues to be collected.
	This followed an application from the Mostyn Docks Limited in April 2003 for a harbour revision order for Mostyn Dock, which abuts into the Dee estuary, the effect of which would be to confer powers on that company to facilitate the implementation of the Port Marine Safety Code and to extend the powers of the company in respect of aids to navigation, wreck removal, pilotage functions and harbour jurisdiction over an area of the estuary.

Departmental Allowances

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department and its predecessors spent on  (a) reimbursement of staff expenses and  (b) the 10 largest staff expense reimbursement claims in each year since 1997.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport was established following machinery of Government changes on 29 May 2002. Details of costs for the period prior to 2002 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Department's spend on reimbursement of staff expenses for the last seven financial years the central Department; the Maritime and Coastguard Agency; the Driving Standards Agency; the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency; and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency can be found in the following table:
	
		
			  Financial year  Reimbursement of staff expenses (£) 
			 2009-10 11,478,883 
			 2008-09 13,677,881 
			 2007-08 12,607,508 
			 2006-07 13,675,499 
			 2005-06 13,926,275 
			 2004-05 13,142,448 
			 2003-04 11,491,596 
		
	
	We are unable to provide complete information for any of the years without incurring disproportionate costs.
	The Department is not able to provide information relating to the 10 largest staff expense reimbursement claims in each year since 1997 without incurring disproportionate cost.

Departmental Billing

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in July and August 2010.

Norman Baker: The target to pay 90% of invoices within 10 days has been replaced by a target to pay 80% of invoices within five days, and the reply is set out on this basis.
	The percentage of invoices paid within five days of receipt for the Department and its agencies for July and August is as follows:
	
		
			   July 2010  Aug ust  2010 
			 Central Department 95.5 95.1 
			 Driving Standards 95.6 95.6 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing 91.1 88.6 
			 Highways 67.7 86.2 
			 Maritime and Coastguard 94.5 96.6 
			 Vehicle Certification 92.6 95.5 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services 85.1 84.4 
			 Government Car and Despatch 85.4 89.2 
			 Total 84.0 90.5 
		
	
	The departmental commercial terms generally specify that payment will be made within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice.
	The percentage of invoices paid within 30 days of receipt for the Department and its agencies FOR July and August is as follows:
	
		
			   July 2010  August 2010 
			 Central Department 99.5 99.3 
			 Driving Standards 99.8 99.7 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing 100.0 99.6 
			 Highways 99.3 99.2 
			 Maritime and Coastguard 99.9 99.9 
			 Vehicle Certification 99.2 100.0 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services 99.7 99.7 
			 Government Car and Despatch 99.2 99.5 
			 Total 99.5 99.5

Departmental Billing

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many payments to suppliers were made by  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) its non-departmental public bodies (i) within 30 days of, (ii) over 30 days after, (iii) over 60 days after and (iv) over 90 days after the date of invoice in the latest period for which figures are available.

Norman Baker: For the month of July, the number of payments to suppliers by the Department for Transport and its agencies is broken down as follows:
	
		
			   Under 30 days  30+ days  60+ days  90+ days  Total 
			 DFT 3,193 17 9 1 3,220 
			 Agencies 15,698 103 34 17 15,852 
		
	
	The above information is based upon date of receipt of invoice.
	The Department for Transport is not required to collect information on payment to suppliers for its non-departmental public bodies.
	The Department for Transport has seven executive agencies, as follows:
	Highways Agency (HA)
	Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
	Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
	Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
	Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)
	Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
	Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA).

Departmental Communication

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what instructions have been issued by the private office of each Minister in his Department on the preparation of briefing, speeches and replies to official correspondence.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport's intranet includes guidance on briefing for meetings, submissions, speeches and correspondence, and this is updated when required.

Departmental Consultants

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on external consultants and advisers by  (a) his Department and  (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which he is responsible in each year since 2005.

Norman Baker: Total expenditure by the central Department and its agencies on consultants in each financial year since 2004-05 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10( 1) 
			 DfT Central 65.2 64.0 53.6 51.0 51.3 96.5 
			 Highways Agency 115.0 2.4 1.7 2.0 1.6 1.6 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 4.8 1.9 18.0 18.4 12.8 4.2 
			 Driving Standards Agency 3.6 1.2 5.1 3.5 3.4 0.9 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 3.4 1.4 3.0 3.7 1.8 3.9 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 1.2 1.0 1.3 1.5 1.4 2.3 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency(2) n/a 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 
			 (1 )These figures are highly provisional and will be subject to more rigorous scrutiny as part of the Public Sector Procurement Expenditure Survey which is currently under way. The figure of £3.9 million for the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency includes £3.0 million spent on the Testing Transformation Programme which has been fully funded by the central Department.  (2 )Joined DfT from 2005-06. 
		
	
	The Business Units within the Department currently use separate accounting systems which record expenditure differently. The totals include a mixture of committed spend (i.e. orders raised) and actual spend incurred, including orders raised within the context of framework agreements. The Professional Services Forum definition of consultancy has been applied since 2005-06 resulting in more accurate coding of expenditure.
	Expenditure figures from 2005-06 exclude central Department and Highways Agency spend on technical transport related consultancy. Expenditure by the Highways Agency on engineering consultancy and Driving Standards Agency capital expenditure such as project management, legal costs, specialist advice, etc., relating to their property related Multi-purpose Test Centres project are excluded.
	Expenditure by non-departmental public bodies on external consultancy can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Furniture

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many chairs his Department and its predecessors purchased in each year since 1997; how much was spent in each such year; and what the five most expensive chairs purchased in each such year were.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport was formed on 29 May 2002. Information for the period prior to this date is not available.
	The requested information, where recorded, is provided in the following tables.
	
		
			  Central Department 
			   London HQ( 1)  Air Accidents Investigation Branch( 2)  Marine Accident Investigation Branch( 3)  Rail Accident Investigation Branch( 4) 
			 2002-03 
			 Quantity - - - - 
			 Cost (£) - - 3,000.00 - 
			  
			 2003-04 
			 Quantity - - - - 
			 Cost (£) - - - - 
			  
			 2004-05 
			 Quantity - - - 121 
			 Cost (£) - - - 12,633.00 
			  
			 2005-06 
			 Quantity - - - 65 
			 Cost (£) - - - 5,660.00 
			  
			 2006-07 
			 Quantity - - - 3 
			 Cost (£) - - - 525.00 
			  
			 2007-08 
			 Quantity 290 - - 23 
			 Cost (£) 63,966.00 - - 4,075.00 
			  
			 2008-09 
			 Quantity 572 - - 9 
			 Cost (£) 120,059.00 - - 1,359.00 
			  
			 2009-10 
			 Quantity 78 - - 0 
			 Cost (£) 19,892.00 - 21,371.00 0.00 
		
	
	
		
			  Executive Agencies 
			   Driving Standards Agency( 2)  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency( 5)  Government Car and Despatch Agency( 2)  Highways Agency( 2)  Maritime and Coastguard Agency( 2)  Vehicle and Operator Services Agency( 2)  Vehicle Certification Agency( 6) 
			 2002-03
			 Quantity - - - - - - - 
			 Cost (£) - - - - - - 3,579.00 
			 
			 2003-04
			 Quantity - - - - - - - 
			 Cost (£) - - - - - - 1,094.00 
			 
			 2004-05
			 Quantity - - - - - - - 
			 Cost (£) - - - - - - 0.00 
			 
			 2005-06
			 Quantity - 1,148 - - - - - 
			 Cost (£) - 108,305.00 - - - - 194.00 
			 
			 2006-07
			 Quantity - 2,605 - - - - - 
			 Cost (£) - 255,695.00 - - - - 357.00 
			 
			 2007-08
			 Quantity - 2,557 - - - - - 
			 Cost (£) - 264,355.00 - - - - 775.00 
			 
			 2008-09
			 Quantity - 1,636 - - - - - 
			 Cost (£) - 238,364.00 - - - - 3,140.00 
			 
			 2009-10
			 Quantity - 793 - - - - - 
			 Cost (£) - 124,990 - - - - 4,401.00 
			 (1) Data on expenditure in previous years is not available. (2) Data is not held at the requested level of detail. An answer could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost. (3) A breakdown of individual purchases is not recorded. Spend in other years would be in the range of £0 to £1,000-but this information is only available at disproportionate cost. (4) Data covers the period of the setting up of the two RAIB Operations Centres (Derby and Woking). (5) Data is only available for the period from 2005. The DVLA Headquarters site at Swansea undertook a significant refurbishment between 2005 and 2009, This included an upgrade of all chairs in use. Costs also include maintenance of chairs across the DVLA Local Office network. (6) The VCA accounting system cannot provide a breakdown of individual purchases-only total spend (shown above). 
		
	
	
		
			  Most expensive chairs 
			  £ 
			   1  2  3  4  5 
			 2002-03 250 (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- 
			 2003-04 (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- 
			 2004-05 165 (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- 
			 2005-06 214 (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- 
			 2006-07 998 680 489 365 350 
			 2007-08 1,141 1,057 809 764 759 
			 2008-09 1,822 1,401 1,141 1,139 1,097 
			 2009-10 881 809 809 725 710 
			 (1) Not recorded. 
		
	
	The top five most expensive chairs purchased from 2006-07 relate to "specialist chairs" provided to staff following recommendations by our Occupational Health provider.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on hospitality for events hosted by each Minister in his Department in  (a) May and  (b) June 2010.

Norman Baker: During May and June 2010, Ministers in the Department for Transport spent a total of £377.52 on food and soft drinks. This relates to an Armed Forces Day on 23 June 2010, hosted by Mike Penning, for armed forces veterans and serving reservists from across the central Department and its agencies. There was no other expenditure for hospitality events during this period.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on hospitality for events hosted by each Minister in his Department in July 2010.

Norman Baker: I am aware of only one such event in July, when the Department for Transport spent £19.80 on refreshments at a meeting which I chaired. All expenditure is incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what severance payments have been paid to  (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department who left office after the last general election.

Norman Baker: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Mr Maude) on 5 July 2010,  Official Report, column 55W, which lists the total severance payments made to Ministers from each Department who left office following the general election.
	The Government publish annually the total cost of special advisers in the form of a written ministerial statement by the Prime Minister. The total cost of severance paid out to special advisers who left office after the last general election will be published in due course.

Driving Tests: Special Needs

Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received from representatives of disability organisations on proposed changes to the driving test; and what representations he has received on making provision for those with special needs to enable them to take the test.

Michael Penning: The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) made representations in summer 2010 regarding the introduction of 'independent driving' in to the practical driving test. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has also received similar written representations from driving instructors who teach candidates with special learning needs. The agency then worked BDA to ensure that implementation arrangements will not discriminate against candidates with dyslexia.
	As part of reforming the way that people learn to drive and are tested, we are introducing, from 4 October, an assessment of a candidate's ability to drive safely and make decisions independently (known as Independent Driving), to mirror what they will have to do once they have passed their test.
	When developing proposals for independent driving DSA commissioned the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) to conduct the independent trials, which included non-English speaking participants and participants with a disability. The majority of the participants perceived the independent driving exercises to be socially inclusive, but the participants who considered themselves dyslexic reported that they had found the independent driving exercises more challenging.
	DSA took into account potential difficulties that these groups may face when designing the independent driving tasks and further engaged with the BDA, who advised on the formatting of the supporting diagrams.
	The methods adopted to help dyslexic candidates perform the independent driving task will also be useful for candidates with learning difficulties, especially if they have difficulties in reading or following a sequence of instructions.

Driving: Eyesight

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish his consultation paper on the minimum standards for drivers with diabetes, epilepsy and vision required under EC Directive 2009/113/EEC.

Michael Penning: holding answer 13 September 2010
	 The Department aims to issue a consultation document by the end of the year.
	The Department's officials, with the Secretary of State's Honorary Medical Advisory Panels, have been considering how the directive should be applied in the UK. The Department will await the outcome of consultation on proposals before making changes.

Driving: Licensing

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many driving licence photographic renewals the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has processed in each of the last three years; and how much revenue the Agency received from such renewals in each such year.

Michael Penning: holding answer 13 September 2010
	 The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency started renewing photographs on driving licences in April 2008. The following figures reflect the volumes which have been processed since April 2008.
	
		
			   Volume  Fee (£)  Volume x fee (£) 
			 2007-08 0 0 0 
			 2008-09 306,006 17.50 5,355,105 
			 2009-10 1,465,528 20.00 29,310,560

Heathrow Airport

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has made an estimate of the average number of transfer passengers on aircraft movements taking place at Heathrow Airport  (a) before 0600 hours and  (b) between 0600 and 0700 hours.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport does not hold estimates of the number of transfer passengers at Heathrow airport by time of day. However, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) does hold information on the number of air transport movements, the total number of passengers and the number of transit passengers at Heathrow by time of day. This information is not published but is available on request from the CAA.

Highways Agency: Manpower

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff the Highways Agency Traffic Officer Service has.

Michael Penning: The Highways Agency Traffic Officer Service has 1,717 operational staff in total as at 31 July 2010, this figure is broken down as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 On road traffic officers 1,090 
			 On road team managers 178 
			 Control room operators 328 
			 Control room managers 69 
			 Operation managers 45 
			 Regional operation managers 7

Invalid Vehicles: Accidents

Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had on the level of accidents involving mobility scooters.

Norman Baker: holding answer 14 September 2010
	I have discussed this matter with my colleague, the Parliamentary the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) and with officials as part of a wider consideration of the topic of mobility scooters.
	We are aware that the number of mobility vehicles is on the increase. In 2010 the Department initiated a survey to help assess the number of mobility scooter users and the extent to which their use may have injured people. I will be considering its conclusions as part of an overall review of the laws governing the use of mobility vehicles. The results of the survey can be viewed on the Department's website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/adobepdf/162469/221412/221513/mobilityscoooters/attitudestowardsmobilityscooters1.pdf
	The Department for Transport published research in 2006 into the use of Class 2 and Class 3 mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs which can be viewed on the Department's website at:
	www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/tipws/pwps/
	The research did not suggest that mobility vehicles have a significant impact on road safety.

King's Cross-Stevenage Railway Line: Overcrowding

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what definition of overcrowding his Department uses for passenger train carriages on services running between King's Cross and  (a) Stevenage and  (b) Royston.

Theresa Villiers: Train operating companies submit morning and evening peak train plans to the Department for Transport for May and December timetable changes each year. Overcrowding levels are assessed by comparing counts of passengers against the plans.
	The specific arrangements for each operator can be viewed on the Department's website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/publicregister/current/
	The services in question are delivered by First Capital Connect.

King's Cross-Stevenage Railway Line: Overcrowding

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent capacity surveys have been undertaken in respect of the railway line between King's Cross and Stevenage; what recent representations he has received on overcrowding on trains; and if he will make a statement.

Theresa Villiers: Franchised train operators are required by the Department for Transport to undertake passenger counts as part of their franchise agreements. Train counts are requested from all relevant operators twice yearly, for the morning and evening peak demand, counting arriving train passengers between 7 am and 9.59 am and departing passengers between 4 pm and 6.59 pm. The most recent surveys were undertaken during spring 2010.
	Statistics on train crowding are published by the Office of Rail Regulation in the National Rail Trends Yearbook, which is available in the House Library, or from the Office of Rail Regulation website at:
	www.rail-reg.gov.uk
	The National Rail Trends Yearbook contains 'passengers in excess of capacity' (PiXC) statistics showing overcrowding on London commuter services. Latest published statistics are for the autumn 2009 period.
	No recent representations have been received on overcrowding on trains.

King's Cross-Stevenage Railway Line: Overcrowding

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the level of overcrowding on trains on the line between Stevenage and King's Cross.

Theresa Villiers: Train operating companies submit morning and evening peak train plans to the Department for Transport for May and December timetable changes each year. Overcrowding levels are assessed by comparing counts of passengers against the plans.
	Passenger counts data are assessed against the agreed seated and standing capacity of each train and the extent of crowding is calculated. The assessment informs the plans for the next timetable iteration and the deployment of train capacity. The Department uses the data as the base for strategic forecasts of peak demand change. The latest assessment for First Capital Connect, the train operator that provides the services in question, was for the May timetable change.

London Airports: Passengers

Alan Haselhurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects his Department to publish revised forecasts for passenger numbers for Stansted and other airports in the South East over the period to 2030; and whether these will include detailed projections for each airport.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport published forecasts of the number of air passengers using UK airports, including Stansted Airport, most recently in "UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts 2009". The Department keeps its forecasts under review and will publish updated forecasts as appropriate.

National Air Traffic Services

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his plans are for the future of the Government's stake in National Air Traffic Services.

Theresa Villiers: In accordance with the Budget statement (June 2010), the Government are exploring with other shareholders the options for a potential sale process in National Air Traffic Services. No decisions have yet been made on whether a sale will be proceeded with.

Network Rail: Finance

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what  (a) amount of funding and  (b) other support his Department has provided to Network Rail Railway Communications Systems project.

Theresa Villiers: Railway communications systems projects are the responsibility of Network Rail. They are included as part of the funding allocated in the periodic review 2008, the delivery of which is monitored by the Office of Rail Regulation.
	The Network Rail Delivery Plan of 31 March 2010 states that £1,089 million will be expended between 2009-10 and 2013-14 on Telecommunications of which £829 million is for the Fixed Telecommunications Network/ Global System for Mobile Communications-Railways (FTN/GSM-R) projects.

Parking: Fines

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the level of outstanding parking fines owed to local authorities by drivers of foreign-registered vehicles.

Norman Baker: This information is not collected by central Government. However, we estimate that 0.39% of the total numbers of vehicle miles are done by foreign registered vehicles (FRVs).
	If all vehicles had the same propensity to park in contravention, approximately 0.4% of the approximately 9 million penalty charge notices (PCNs) served each year would relate to FRVs-perhaps some 36,000. Local authorities may use private debt collection companies that offer to pursue debts through foreign vehicle registration authorities. We understand that up to 40% of foreign keepers will pay a PCN when contacted by such companies.

Public Transport: Disability

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he plans to take to improve access for disabled individuals to train services serving  (a) Coventry and  (b) other cities in England.

Norman Baker: The coalition Government place a high value on initiatives that promote equality and fairness. The Railways for All programme, launched by the previous Government, is currently installing level access routes at 148 priority stations across the railway network, and this is in addition to major programmes of investment and the commitments in rail franchises. Coventry station itself has not been identified for enhancement, as lift access to platforms is already provided.
	In addition, all new trains entering service since 1998 have been required to meet modern accessibility standards. Almost 6,200 rail vehicles that meet those requirements are now in service, including the Pendolino high speed trains that serve Coventry. All rail vehicles must be accessible by January 2020.
	The Government remain committed to improving access to rail travel. However, in common with other Departments we are carrying out a spending review which requires that we reassess a number of programmes for affordability. We are also carrying out a public consultation on the future of rail franchising. Once these have concluded we will be able to say more about our future plans.

Public Transport: EU Action

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to  (a) his Department,  (b) bus and coach transport providers and  (c) passengers of implementation of the proposed regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport and amending regulation (EC) No. 2006/2004 (05218/2010-C7-0077.2010-2008.00237(COD)); and if he will make a statement.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport produced a post-consultation impact assessment on the European Commission's draft regulation concerning the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport in December 2009. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House. This indicated that the proposal would be likely to place a significant cost on the industry which could be. passed on to passengers through higher fares. There would also be enforcement costs which are expected to fall to the Department.
	Since then the Transport Council of Ministers agreed significant changes to the original proposal which should reduce the cost to industry. However, the European Parliament has opposed some of these changes, and so negotiations on the text are ongoing. We will continue to argue that the regulation needs to be proportionate and practical in its application. We will produce an updated impact assessment once the text is finalised.

Public Transport: Greater London

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with the Mayor of London on future funding for  (a) bus services in London and  (b) London Underground services.

Theresa Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 7 July 2010,  Official Report, column 266W.

Railways

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made by his Department of the feasibility of the plans put forward by the Association of Train Operating Companies in 2009 to reinstate former railway lines; and if he will make a statement.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport is not currently undertaking any formal assessments of the feasibility of the list of re-opening schemes suggested by the Association of Train Operating Companies, although we fully recognise the value of the work they have carried out on this issue. The lines and stations they have identified for re-opening would, for the most part, focus on improving local connectivity. It is therefore open to the relevant local transport authorities to consider whether re-opening might be an affordable and appropriate way to meet local transport needs, within the constraints of available funding.

Railways Act 2005

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received on  (a) the provisions of the Railways Act 2005 in respect of permitted closure of level crossings and  (b) the effect on the economy of Lincoln, Lincolnshire and the East Midlands of Network Rail's proposal for revised hourly closures of the Lincoln High Street level crossing.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 14 September 2010
	Department for Transport Ministers have received recent representations on the second of these issues from my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln, the leader of Lincolnshire county council and the leader of Lincoln city council.
	The operation of Lincoln High Street Level Crossing is an operational matter for Network Rail.

Railways: Construction

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to Appendix K of the Route Frequency Study Final Report for High Speed Two, what public consultation he plans to carry out on the location of the marshalling depot referred to in paragraph K-9.3.3 of the Appendix; and if he will make a statement.

Philip Hammond: The potential location of a rolling stock maintenance depot will be included in the consultation which I have asked HS2 Ltd to be in a position to launch early in the new year.

Railways: Construction

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account he has taken of  (a) the (i) cost and benefit and (ii) environmental impact of high speed rail operation at different design speeds and  (b) the design speeds of high speed rail systems in (A) France, (B) Germany and (C) other countries in determining the most suitable design speed for High Speed Two.

Philip Hammond: HS2 Ltd has considered these issues in detail. Its findings are published in its report and supporting technical documents published by the Government in March 2010. These documents can be found at:
	www.dft.gov.uk/highspeedrail
	HS2 Ltd's proposals assume a potential maximum future line speed of approximately 250 miles per hour (mph), where route topographical, train performance and sustainability considerations would permit. However, the journey times and modelled benefits included in its report are based on current train technologies and therefore assume a maximum speed of 225 mph (subject to the same topographical and other considerations).
	This approach is broadly in line with current practice in Europe and Asia, where most major lines currently under construction or recently completed have been designed for a maximum line speed of 225 mph, but lines in development are being designed for eventual speeds up to 250 mph and 275 mph respectively. Shorter 'in-fill' sections of high speed route linking conventional lines generally continue to be designed for 160-200 mph.

Railways: Construction

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what  (a) minimum peak ticket prices and  (b) minimum daily passenger numbers in each year were assumed for a journey between Birmingham and London as part of the business case for High Speed Two; and if he will publish the full business case.

Philip Hammond: The business case behind HS2 Ltd's recommendations is detailed in its 'Demand and Appraisal Report', which can be found at:
	www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/hs2ltd/demandandappraisal
	The business case assumes that the average fare is the same as fares on the classic rail network in 2033, and that the structure of fares is in line with that operating today.
	The number of passengers is forecast using detailed transport models. The model estimates that around 145,000 passengers per day in 2033 would travel on HS2 services, of whom approximately 54,000 would travel between the west midlands stations (Fazeley Street and Birmingham Interchange) and London stations (Euston and Old Oak Common).

Railways: Construction

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the full business case for High Speed Rail 2.

Philip Hammond: A detailed business case for High Speed Two -the proposed line between London and the west midlands-was published by HS2 Limited in March 2010. In addition to the summary of the business case provided in the company's main report, the full detail is presented in its 'HS2 Demand and Appraisal Report'. This is on the Department for Transport website at:
	www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/hs2ltd/

Railways: Construction

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the full environmental impact assessment for High Speed Rail 2.

Philip Hammond: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 5 July 2010,  Official Report, column 10W.

Railways: Construction

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many applications his Department had received for payments under the HS2 Exceptional Hardship Scheme on the latest date for which figures are available.

Philip Hammond: As of 13 September 2010, the High Speed Two Exceptional Hardship Scheme had received 38 applications.

Railways: Greater London

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with Transport for London on Government funding for work to upgrade the London Underground network.

Theresa Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 7 July 2010,  Official Report, column 266W.

Railways: Public Consultation

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether mechanisms are in place to obtain the views of  (a) potential and  (b) former customers of rail services in the assessment of the performance of rail franchises.

Theresa Villiers: None of the current rail franchises require train operators to meet performance targets in relation to potential or former passengers, as distinct from current passengers. The most recently let franchise, South Central, contains passenger satisfaction targets. However all operators have a commercial incentive to fill trains, keep existing passengers and attract new passengers.
	The Department for Transport is currently consulting on the future of rail franchising and would welcome views on how passenger preferences and experience should be captured in a new system. The consultation paper is available at
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2010-28/
	and consultation closes on 18 October.

Railways: Public Consultation

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of passenger views on the adequacy of information on rail ticket choices; and what steps he is taking to ensure that passengers have access to clear information on rail tickets and fares.

Theresa Villiers: Despite some welcome progress by the rail industry, passengers can still find it difficult to understand which ticket is the best for their journey and where they can buy it. I am challenging the industry to make ticket buying easier for passengers and more efficient for the tax payer.

Railways: Scotland

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the future of direct train services between London and  (a) Aberdeen and  (b) Inverness.

Theresa Villiers: The current level of direct services between London and Aberdeen and Inverness will continue to be provided when the new East Coast Main Line timetable is introduced in May 2011. The longer term future of direct services between London and Inverness and Aberdeen will be determined by forthcoming decisions on replacement of the current rolling stock.

Road Works

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the merits of giving additional powers to local authorities to prohibit utility companies which fail to repair roads to an acceptable standard from undertaking further street works.

Norman Baker: An outright prohibition on street works by particular utility companies would put at risk the continuity of supply of essential services and, if it prevented utilities from maintaining and repairing their pipes, cables and other infrastructure, would present a significant risk to public safety.
	Local highway authorities can inspect street works sites to ensure that the highway has been reinstated in accordance with the 'Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways' and, where a reinstatement is found to be unsatisfactory, the authority has powers to require the undertaker of the original works to carry out the necessary remedial works at the undertaker's own expense. Should the undertaker fail to do so, the authority can carry out the works itself and recover the costs from the undertaker.

Road Works

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on requiring utility companies undertaking street works to maintain pipes and cables to minimise disruption during such work.

Norman Baker: It is for local highway authorities to ensure effective management and co-ordination of street works on their highways, where necessary using the powers available to them under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and the Traffic Management Act 2004. The Government would particularly encourage local highway authorities to consider the positive contribution that permit schemes can make in reducing the disruption caused by works.
	The Government also believe there could be a role for stronger financial incentives to minimise disruption, and are considering responses to a recent consultation on proposals to increase the penalties that can be applied where works overrun on traffic sensitive streets. The Government are also exploring the potential for lane rental schemes targeted on the most critical parts of local highway networks.
	The Department for Transport is also working with those involved in street works to progress non-regulatory measures, including the identification and dissemination of best practice in street works management and better use of local performance data to help identify strengths and areas for future improvement.

Roads: Accidents

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the effect on the number of road accidents of the introduction of zonal 20 mph schemes in  (a) Portsmouth and  (b) Oxford; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport has researched the effects of the introduction of widespread 20 mph limits in Portsmouth and has published some preliminary findings. These are at:
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme4/interimeval20mphspeedlimits.pdf
	The preliminary findings include that, in the areas covered by the 20 mph limits, recorded injury accident numbers have reduced from an average of 165 per year, during the three years before the speed limits were introduced, to 144 during the first year afterwards. This reduction of 13% is greater than the percentage fall in accident numbers nationally during the same period. A longer period after the introduction of the speed limits is likely to improve the robustness of the conclusions that can be drawn from the data.
	The Department has more recently received accident information for the second year after the implementation of the 20 mph limits. This indicates that the annual average of the number of recorded personal injury accidents during the two years after the limits were introduced was about 21% less than the average during the three years beforehand. Again, nationally the number of accidents has fallen during that period, but by a smaller percentage.
	The Department has also assessed the reduction of actual speeds in the areas of Portsmouth covered by the 20 mph speed limits. On average the mean speeds have fallen by about 1.3 mph. Previous research has indicated that such falls in average speeds in urban areas are typically associated with reductions in the numbers of injury accidents of about 7% (5% per mph of average speed reduction), which is consistent with the accident numbers recorded in Portsmouth.
	Further findings about the Portsmouth scheme are likely to be published soon.
	The Department has not made an assessment of the effects on accidents of the Oxford scheme.

Roads: Environment Protection

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times the Highways Agency has not met timescales for cleanliness standards of roads and verges as set out in the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Michael Penning: The Highways Agency is responsible for motorways and a small number of all-purpose trunk roads in England. Litter collection on all other highways is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
	Litter collection and carriageway sweeping is undertaken by the Highways Agency's service providers, who are required under their contracts to meet the standards of cleanliness set out in the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
	The Act places a duty on authorities to ensure that their land, or land for which they are responsible, is kept clear of litter and refuse in so far as is practicable. Therefore, it cannot be said that the Highways Agency has not met time scales for the cleanliness of its roads and verges, as time scales do not apply under the Act.

Roads: Honiton

Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the A303/A30 dual carriageway improvements north of Honiton take place.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport are not currently progressing the development of options for dualling the A303/A30 north of Honiton.
	The Highways Agency are undertaking an A303/A30 corridor management study considering possible improvements to the performance of the corridor through a range of smaller scale options.
	Implementation of any proposals from the study would be subject to the availability of funding following the outcome of the current spending review.

Roads: Leicestershire

Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the  (a) value for money,  (b) environmental impact and  (c) associated labour costs of materials used to maintain roads in Leicestershire.

Norman Baker: holding answer 15 September 2010
	The Highways Agency maintains the Strategic Road Network in Leicestershire, namely the M1, A14, M69, A5 and A46. This is achieved through a five-year maintenance contract which was renewed for the area covering Leicestershire in July 2009. As part of the process for awarding this contract the costs of the proposed maintenance programme submitted by each of the tenders were assessed across a range of operations to ensure value for money.
	Local road maintenance in the county is a matter for Leicestershire county council and therefore no assessment has been made.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria his Department uses to assess the condition of roads.

Norman Baker: holding answer 15 September 2010
	The Highways Agency is responsible for managing the strategic road network in England. It carries out annual road surface condition surveys, principally to measure the levels of rutting, the ride quality, general surface condition and the skid resistance provided by the road surface in the wet. In addition, visual surveys and inspections are conducted regularly throughout the year to identify emergency repairs and to support future planned maintenance. Sections requiring potential maintenance are also further investigated to identify the road material quality and the overall structural aspects, as guided by the agency's standards and codes of practices. The agency also takes account of any maintenance issues raised by members of the public. Survey information is recorded either centrally in the agency's asset management systems and/or by the managing agents.
	Local road condition is a matter for the relevant local highway authority. Such authorities currently report two National Indicators on road condition (NI168 and NI169). Information about the criteria used to derive these indicators can be found at
	www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/network/local/servicelevels/ni168ni169guidance2010.pdf
	The same underlying data are used to produce the Department's Highways Condition index, which is published as part of its Road Conditions in England report. The 2009 report sets out the Index's methodology and is available at:
	www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/roadstraffic/maintenance/rce2009

Roads: Snow and Ice

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with local authorities on the efficient distribution of supplies of road salt.

Norman Baker: In England, procurement of salt supplies for highway gritting are a matter for each local highway authority to determine, based on local priorities. The interim report by the independent review into the response of England's transport system to severe winter weather was published on 26 July:
	http://www.independent.gov.uk/transportwinterresilience
	In his written ministerial statement welcoming the report, the Secretary of State reminded local highway authorities that they should make appropriate salting provision for their highway networks, and urged them to take forward the recommendations in the report that relate to them.
	Over the past few months, the Department for Transport has conducted two surveys of English local authorities, asking about their readiness for the coming winter. Officials have also held discussions with the Local Government Association and the UK Roads Liaison Group about implementing the recommendations of the independent review.
	Salt supplies for Scottish and Welsh local authorities and for the Northern Ireland Roads Service are a devolved matter; but my officials have been in touch with the devolved Administrations.

Speed Limits

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has provided to local authorities on the introduction of zonal 20 mph schemes in residential areas; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Penning: Guidance on setting local speed limits, including that for 20 mile per hour zones is contained in Department for Transport Circular 01/2006: Setting Local Speed Limits published in August 2006 and Traffic Advisory Leaflet 9/99: 20mph Speed Limits and Zones published in June 1999. Copies of both documents are available in the House.

Speed Limits: Fines

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals for the level of speeding fines to be calculated in relation to the wealth of the driver and the speed recorded.

Michael Penning: There are no plans to introduce a system of speeding fines calculated in relation to the wealth of drivers. Nor are there plans to introduce a penalty system with increased fines for those drivers exceeding the speed limit by a significant amount.

Stansted Airport

Alan Haselhurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will visit the communities around Stansted Airport to discuss issues of planning blight and community reconstruction.

Theresa Villiers: Unfortunately due to diary commitments, neither the Secretary nor I have any immediate plans to visit the communities around Stansted. However, my Department's officials and I will continue to remain in close contact with my right hon. Friend and local residents on any issues of concern.

Stansted Airport: Noise

Alan Haselhurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the results of the consultation on the Noise Action Plan for Stansted Airport; and what the reason is for the time taken to publish the plan.

Theresa Villiers: The draft noise action plans submitted by airports have been subject to scrutiny by the Department for Transport (DFT) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to ensure that they meet the requirements of the EU Environmental Noise Directive as set out in DEFRA's March 2009 guidance to airport operators. This guidance requires airports to include details of their local public consultation and how issues raised have been addressed in the draft plan.
	Following submission of Stansted airport's draft noise action plan, officials from both the DFT and DEFRA met with airport representatives to discuss the draft. Stansted airport submitted a further draft plan on 27 August for consideration. This draft is currently being given further scrutiny and we expect to take a decision on formal adoption shortly. Once the plan has been formally adopted by Government, it will be published on both DEFRA's and the airport's website.

Taxis

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department and its predecessors spent on taxi fares in each year since 1997.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport was established following machinery of Government changes on 29 May 2002. Details of costs for the period prior to 2002 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Department's spend on taxi fares for the last seven financial years can be found in the following table:
	
		
			  Financial year  Taxi fare spend (£) 
			 2009-10 (1)189,288 
			 2008-09 (1)224,817 
			 2007-08 (2)60,530 
			 2006-07 (3)66,653 
			 2005-06 (3)57,040 
			 2004-05 (3)44,867 
			 2003-04 (3)36,920 
			 (1) Figures only available for four of the Department's agencies. (2 )Figures only available for three of the Department's agencies. (3) Figures only available for two of the Department's agencies. 
		
	
	We are unable to provide complete information for any of the years without incurring disproportionate costs.

Trust Ports: Privatisation

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on  (a) the proposed sale of Dover Harbour Board and  (b) the sale of other Trust Ports.

Michael Penning: On 21 July, I announced an additional period for representations to be made on the transfer scheme submitted in January by Dover Harbour Board, which would allow the Board to sell the port of Dover. This period ended on 27 August. In reaching a decision on the proposals by Dover Harbour Board all the relevant representations will be taken into account.
	No other trust port has brought forward plans for a voluntary privatisation. The Department for Transport earlier this year received analyses from each of the other major trust ports in England and Wales, following their boards' reviews of corporate structure, and will now monitor their implementation plans to enhance efficiency and obtain value from their assets.

Tyres

James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department plans to introduce a legal maximum age limit for tyres used on public roads.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport has no such plans.

TREASURY

Annuities

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the compulsory purchase of annuities by pension-holders at the age of 75; and if he will make a statement.

Danny Alexander: The Government committed in the June 2010 Budget to remove the effective requirement to purchase an annuity by age 75 from April 2010. A consultation on the details of the change was launched on 15 July and closed on 10 September. A summary of responses and draft legislation, containing full details of the final policy, will be published in the autumn.

Banks: Loans

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of levels of bank lending to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Mark Hoban: The Bank of England publish data on lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on their website, at:
	http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/other/monetary/trendsinlending.htm
	The August 2010 edition of the Bank of England's Trends in Lending publication reported that the year-on-year growth rate of lending to SMEs has been negative since October 2009.
	The Government recognise that access to finance is essential if businesses are to invest, grow and make their important contribution to supporting the economic recovery. The Government have recently published a Green Paper on business finance to help inform and take forward its agenda on credit and other sources of finance for businesses.
	The Green Paper-Financing a Private Sector Recovery-is available at:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/businessfinance

Bus Services: Finance

Grahame Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect on  (a) levels of employment,  (b) bus services and  (c) the economy of ceasing the bus services operators grant; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Baker: I have been asked to reply.
	An impact assessment was published in March 2008 alongside a consultation document on options for bus subsidy reform. A subsequent impact assessment was published in December 2009. Decisions on the future levels of bus service operators grant will be taken as part of the spending review.

Departmental Manpower

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff his Department employs to consider  (a) departmental and  (b) national strategy; what output such staff are required to produce; and if he will make a statement.

Justine Greening: The Treasury has a central role in the development and implementation of strategy on a national scale, on both the economy and the public finances. The Treasury's departmental strategy is designed to support the Department in discharging this responsibility effectively. As this is the Treasury's central responsibility, the majority of the Department are involved in this endeavour.
	All Departments are currently producing business plans which outline forward strategy and structural reforms. These plans will be published following conclusion of the spending review.

Endowment Mortgages

Katy Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received recent representations from people who experienced a financial shortfall as a result of the operation of the systems of regulation of endowment policies prior to the implementation of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Mark Hoban: According to our records, the Chancellor has not received representations.

Government Departments: Audit

Karen Lumley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to widen the tender of the Government audit process; and if he will make a statement.

Danny Alexander: A number of central Government bodies have outsourced some or all of their internal audit services. The Treasury is currently conducting a review of internal audit services across central Government and tendering and contracting is part of that review.

Green Investment Bank

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the Green Investment Bank to begin operations; and if he will bring forward proposals to make that bank subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Edward Davey: I have been asked to reply.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is in discussion with colleagues from other Government Departments about implementing the coalition commitment to create a Green Investment Bank (GIB). The Government will be putting forward detailed proposals after the spending review. The proposals will be evaluated for effectiveness, fiscal affordability and transparency.
	The Government remain committed to the Freedom of Information Act. Until decisions have been taken on the GIB'S form, it is not possible to say whether or not the Act will apply to the GIB.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Expenditure

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revisions he made in the June 2010 Budget in respect of expected expenditure on jobseeker's allowance in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.

Justine Greening: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Budget Responsibility Committee of the Office for Budget Responsibility. The Budget Responsibility Committee has been asked to reply.
	  Letter from Geoffrey Dicks, dated 16 September 2010:
	As a Member of the Budget Responsibility Committee of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), I have been asked to reply to your recent question:
	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what revisions he made in the June 2010 Budget in respect of expected expenditure on jobseekers' allowance in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12. (14899)
	The OBR's June 2010 Budget forecast for total Social Security spending in Annually Managed Expenditure (AME) was published in Table C13 of the June Budget document. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published a breakdown of the DWP benefits subsumed within the June 2010 Budget forecast. This breakdown is available on the DWP website at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/alltables_budget2010.xls
	The published breakdown includes the final June 2010 Budget forecast for jobseekers' allowance.
	DWP provided the OBR with a similar breakdown of the DWP benefits subsumed within the OBR's forecast for total Social Security that was published in Table 4.8 of the Pre-Budget forecast on 14 June 2010. This breakdown has not been published.
	Following your request for supplementary information on its forecasts, the Office for Budget Responsibility will release the information concerning the jobseekers' allowance forecast contained within the pre-Budget forecast, and the revisions to the jobseekers' allowance forecast in the June Budget. This information will be released on the OBR website:
	http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/publications.html
	on 21 September 2010. This is consistent with the interim OBR's release policy, which is available at:
	http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/d/interim_ release_process.pdf
	Copies of the published material will also be made available in the vote office and printed paper office.

Northern Rock plc

Katy Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has had recent discussions with the Independent Valuer of Northern Rock on its remit.

Mark Hoban: The remit of the Northern Rock independent valuer was established in the Northern Rock Compensation Scheme Order 2008. The Chancellor and the independent valuer of Northern Rock have not met to discuss this matter.

Public Expenditure

Clive Betts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in respect of each project subject to the review of Government-funded projects reported on 17 June 2010, for what reason each project was  (a) approved or  (b) cancelled; what criteria were used to reach a decision on each project; what evaluation process was followed; and which (i) Government Departments and (ii) external organisations were consulted in each case.

Danny Alexander: holding answer 6 September 2010
	217 projects were considered as part of the coalition Government's review of the spending commitments made by the previous Government between 1 January 2010 and the election. Projects were assessed on the grounds of affordability, value for money and whether they fitted with the priorities of the coalition Government.
	12 projects were deemed not to meet the criteria and were, as a result, cancelled. A further 12 were suspended so that they could be considered in more detail over the course of the spending review.
	The Chief Secretary to the Treasury consulted with the relevant Secretaries of State on specific projects before any decisions were taken.

Public Finance

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what expenditure reduction suggestions by members of the public have been considered as part of the Government's Spending Review.

Danny Alexander: The Government received over 45,000 suggestions from members of the public through the Spending Challenge website. Members of the public were invited to review and rate the ideas received in order to help identify the most promising ones.
	The Government have committed to reviewing the ideas with the most potential and, on Friday 10 September, announced that three ideas submitted to the Spending Challenge by members of the public and public sector workers will be implemented as policy by the Government.
	These ideas are (a) to reduce the number of CRB checks for junior doctors, by taking a more common-sense approach across the NHS, so that junior doctors are not checked repeatedly over a short space of time; (b) to distribute national insurance numbers to people with a letter rather than a plastic card; and (c) to increase the selling of surplus and second hand Government equipment by expanding the use of the Ministry of Defence's eDisposals service for use across all Government Departments.
	The Government will continue to highlight where ideas submitted by the public have been taken into account when the results of the spending review are announced on 20 October.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the efficiency of the telephone inquiry service provided by the child tax credit unit of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

David Gauke: The performance and efficiency of HMRC contact centres (which include the tax credit helpline) was recently assessed by the National Audit Office. The National Audit Office findings "Handling Telephone Enquiries" was published on the 15 January 2010 with the subsequent Committee of Public Accounts report published on the 25 March 2010.

Taxation: Banks

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual net revenue to accrue from the introduction of a transaction tax on the banking industry.

Mark Hoban: There are many issues that need to be further explored around whether the financial transaction tax model offers a stable and efficient mechanism to raise revenue. These issues need to be resolved before the potential revenue could be forecast. The bank levy, announced in the June 2010 Budget, offers an effective way forward and ensures that banks make a contribution in respect of the risks they pose to the UK financial system and wider economy.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Bankruptcy: Carlisle

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many personal bankruptcies there were in Carlisle constituency in  (a) 2008,  (b) 2009 and  (c) 2010.

Edward Davey: Table 1 shows the number of bankruptcy orders registered in the Carlisle constituency for the three most recent years available. Regional insolvency figures are compiled annually, therefore data for 2010 will not be available until summer 2011. The two other individual insolvency procedures-Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) and Debt Relief Orders (DROs)-are also included.
	
		
			  Table 1: Individual insolvencies in the Carlisle constituency 
			   2007  2008  2009 
			 Bankruptcy orders 75 78 84 
			 Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) 52 54 80 
			 Debt Relief Orders (DROs)(1) - - 22 
			 Total individual insolvencies 127 132 186 
			 (1) DROs were introduced in April 2009. The data shown here is for April December 2009.

Banks: Loans

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the level of availability of credit finance to small and medium sized enterprises.

Edward Davey: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Streatham (Mr Umunna) on 14 September 2010,  Official Report, column 973W.

Construction: Industry

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many organisations registered with his Department and its non-departmental public bodies provide membership to building construction firms on condition that they adhere to a code of practice; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Davey: There is one organisation that meets this general description: TrustMark, although it is not subject to formal registration with the Department.
	TrustMark is an independent company set up with help of the, then, Department of Trade and Industry in order to help address the issue of cowboy builders. Through the TrustMark Scheme, Trade Associations and equivalent bodies meeting a set of competency and customer care standards are licensed by TrustMark to use the TrustMark brand, as Scheme Operators. They, in turn, are obliged under the licence to ensure that member firms are competent and that their work meets appropriate standards.

Debt Collection: Regulation

Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects the Office of Fair Trading to publish the report of its formal compliance review of debt management guidance.

Edward Davey: The OFT hopes to publish its findings report from its review of compliance with its Debt Management Guidance (the Guidance) shortly.

Debts: Advisory Services

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of his Department's budget was spent on debt, benefits and employment advice in each of the last five years.

Edward Davey: Over the last five years, the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has made the following contributions:
	£5 million (£1 million each year) for telephone debt advice via the National Debtline;
	£6.8 million for the Face-to-Face Debt Advice project (£2.8 million in 2008-09, £2 million in 2009-10, £1.9 million in 2010-11);
	£5 million in 2009-10 to the umbrella bodies for the Citizens Advice Service in England and Wales and in Scotland to increase bureaux opening hours to help meet an increase in the recession-driven demand for advice. Although advice is provided on all manner of issues, at least 50% relates to debt, benefits and employment.
	Since 2005, BIS has provided around £128.6 million (£23.8 million in 2005-06, £21.4 million in 2006-07, £21.4 million in 2007-08, £21.4 million in 2008-09, £21.4 million in 2009-10 and £18.9 million in 2010-11) of core grant in aid funding to the umbrella bodies for the Citizens Advice Service in England and Wales and around £18.8 million (£3.2 million in 2005-06, £2.9 million in 2006-07, £3 million in 2007-08, £3.3 million in 2008-09, £3.3 million in 2009-10 and £2.9 million in 2010-11) in Scotland. This funding enables the umbrella bodies to provide business services to their customers-the national networks of Citizens Advice Bureaux-which in turn enable bureaux to provide front-line services to the public. BIS funding also enables both organisations to provide online advice direct to the public through the Adviceguide website. Again, although advice is provided on all manner of issues, at least 50% relates to debt, benefits and employment.
	In addition BIS provides funding for Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) which gives advice on employment rights and responsibilities to both employers and employees. This includes its collective conciliation function, as well as individual conciliation, the ACAS Helpline and other training and advice. The allocation for 2010-11 is £49.4 million, and spend so far is £17.5 million. Over the previous four years spend has been:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2009-10 54.9 
			 2008-09 51 
			 2007-08 45 
			 2006-07 51.4 
		
	
	BIS also funds the unified Pay and Work Rights line, established in 2009, which provides information and advice about the national and agriculture minimum wage, employment agency regulations, gangmaster licensing and working time. Expenditure on the helpline in 2009-10 was £1.2 million, including set up costs. Prior to 2009-10, advice on these issues was provided by a number of individual helplines run by different agencies across Government as part of their compliance and enforcement work.
	In addition, BIS spent minimal staff costs on providing and maintaining information on the businesslink.gov and direct.gov websites.

Departmental Buildings

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the  (a) name and  (b) address is of each building (i) leased and (ii) owned by his Department; on what date each property was opened for occupation by his Department; what the estimated book value is of each such property; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Davey: The names and addresses for each building that BIS is the main leaseholder (BIS does not own any properties) are as follows, along with dates of original occupation:
	1 Victoria street, London SW1H OET: 16 September 1963
	10 Victoria street, London SW1H ONN: 1973 (precise date of occupation uncertain)
	151 Buckingham Palace road, London SW1W 9SS: 5 November 1993
	4 Abbey Orchard street, London SW1P 2HT: 22 December 1999
	Kingsgate House, 66-74 Victoria street, London SW1E 6SW: 1 September 1965
	Westfield House, 30 Knaresborough Drive, London SW18 4UT: 24 October 1989
	St. Mary's House, 9-11 London road, Sheffield S2 4LA: 13 March 1998
	Newtown House, Maid Marion Way, Nottingham, NG1 6GG: 20 July 2005.
	The following properties, for which we do not hold information on original occupation dates, were inherited by BIS on 1 April 2010 following the closure of the Learning Skills Council. All properties are currently unoccupied and we are currently seeking new tenants for the space at each location:
	Allergate House, Belmont Business Park, Durham DH1 1TW
	Progress House, Guard street, Workington CA14 4EW
	Unit 7, Pioneer Business Park, Amy Johnson Way, York Y03 8TN
	First Floor, Earls Court, Henry Boot Way, Priory Park, Hull HU4 7DY
	Royal Pavilion, Summerhouse road, Moulton Park Industrial Estate, Northampton NN3 6BJ
	Suite G1, Hollinswood House, Stafford Court, Telford TF2 3DD
	Units 6 & 7 Castle Court, 2 Castlegate Business Park, Dudley DY1 4TA
	5 Brook Court, Whittington Hall, Whittington road, Worcester WR5 2RX
	Stuart House, St Johns street, Peterborough PE1 1SA
	Redwing House, Hedgerows Business Park, Colchester road, Chelmsford CM2 5PB
	45 Grosvenor road, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 3AW
	Lakeside 500, Old Chapel Way, Broadland Business Park, Norwich NR7 OWG
	Ground/1st Floor, Dumayne House, 1 Fox Lane, Palmers Green, London N13 4AB
	Canius House, 1 Scarbrook road, Croydon CRO 1SQ
	Central House, Lampton road, Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 1HY
	Boardman House, 64 Broadway, Stratford E15 1NT
	Latimer House, Langford Business Park, Kidlington, Oxford 0X5 1GG
	Technology House, 48-54 Goldsworth road, Woking GU21 6LE .
	Provincial House, 25 Oxford road, Bournemouth BH8 8EY
	Ground Floor, Richmond Court, Emperor Way, Exeter Business Park, Exeter EX1 3QS
	First Floor, Kingston House, Blackbrook Park Avenue, Taunton TA1 2PX
	Conway House, 33-35 Worcester street, Gloucester GL1 3AJ
	The Bora Building, 1st Floor, Westlea Campus, Westlea Down, Swindon SN5 7E2.
	None of the above properties have a monetary value to the Department as they are all leasehold and, if vacated, an onerous lease provision needs to be made.

Departmental Manpower

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff his Department employs to consider  (a) departmental and  (b) national strategy; what output such staff are required to produce; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Davey: The Prime Minister wrote to Cabinet colleagues on 29 May 2010 setting out that organograms for central Government Departments and agencies that include all staff positions would be published in a common format from October 2010.
	The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills will therefore shortly be publishing an organogram that includes role descriptions and numbers of staff as at 30 June 2010.
	It is difficult to state what constitutes "Departmental" and "National" strategy, as most staff will work on formulating or co-ordinating departmental or national policies or sometimes a combination of both.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what severance payments have been paid to  (a) Ministers and  (b) special advisers in his Department who left office after the last general election.

Edward Davey: I refer to the response given to the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) on 5 July 2010,  Official Report, column 55W, which listed the total severance payments made to Ministers from each Department who left office following the last general election.
	The Government publish annually the total cost of special advisers in the form of a written ministerial statement by the Prime Minister. The total cost of severance paid out to special advisers who left office after the last general election will be published in due course.

Higher Education Act 2004

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what process his Department follows to assess whether higher education institutions should be re-awarded degree-awarding powers under the provisions of the Higher Education Act 2004.

David Willetts: There are no provisions about degree awarding powers in the Higher Education Act 2004. However, since September 2004, private higher education institutions have been granted taught degree awarding powers on a time limited basis.
	At the end of each period of six years, the Department will seek advice from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) or other external quality assurance agency as appropriate, on whether the institution meets the criteria for the renewal of degree-awarding powers.
	The criteria are that an organisation has:
	(i) subscribed for the duration of those six years to the QAA (or such other external quality assurance organisation as may be specified);
	(ii) been subject to an external audit by the QAA; and
	(iii) received a judgement of confidence in the organisation made by the QAA at the time of the audit.

Higher Education: Admissions

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students from England began attending universities in  (a) England,  (b) Scotland and  (c) Wales in each of the last five years.

David Willetts: The numbers of English-domiciled postgraduate and undergraduate entrants to higher education institutions in England, Scotland and Wales are shown in the tables. Figures are taken from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record and are provided for the academic years 2004/05 to 2008/09. Information for the 2009/10 academic year will become available from HESA in January 2011.
	
		
			  English-domiciled postgraduate entrants( 1)  to higher education institutions in England( 2) , Scotland and Wales, academic years 2004/05 to 2008/09 
			   Country of institution 
			  Academic year  England  Scotland  Wales 
			 2004/05 137,790 1,740 2,480 
			 2005/06 141,105 2,060 2,660 
			 2006/07 138,130 2,610 2,925 
			 2007/08 135,965 2,695 2,610 
			 2008/09 151,690 2,550 2,825 
			 (1) Covers all-aged postgraduate entrants to full-time and part-time courses.(  2) Excludes the Open University due to inconsistencies in their coding of entrants across the time series.   Note: Figures are based on an HESA standard registration population and are rounded to the nearest five:  Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record. 
		
	
	
		
			  English-domiciled  under graduate entrants( 1)  to higher education institutions in England( 2) , Scotland and Wales, academic years 2004/05 to 2008/09 
			   Country of institution 
			  Academic year  England  Scotland  Wales 
			 2004/05 482,950 4,305 11,705 
			 2005/06 498,090 4,745 12,445 
			 2006/07 473,755 4,065 11,335 
			 2007/08 488,065 4,325 10,810 
			 2008/09 516,865 4,910 10,710 
			 (1) Covers all-aged undergraduate entrants to full-time and part-time courses.(  2) Excludes the Open University due to inconsistencies in their coding of entrants across the time series.   Note:  Figures are based on an HESA standard registration population and are rounded to the nearest five:  Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record.

Higher Education: Admissions

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his estimate is of the savings to the Exchequer arising from a reduction in the number of university places by 10,000 in 2010.

David Willetts: This Government have increased, not reduced, the number of university places available this year by 10,000 compared to the position set out in the December 2009 HEFCE Grant Letter. Because of the need for deficit reduction, we have also made a saving of £200 million in HE budgets. We have refocused the University Modernisation Fund, announced by the pr places initially offered. We are also making efficiencies at university level. But the total funding we are making available to HEFCE for this year is still higher than that announced in the Council's Grant Letter of December 2009.

Higher Education: Private Sector

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students at each private higher education institution are eligible for student support.

David Willetts: For the purpose of student support, a private higher education institution is any provider of higher education which is not publicly funded. Higher education courses provided by private institutions in the UK may be specifically designated to attract student support on an individual basis. They must all be accredited by a recognised UK awarding body such as a university, with the exception of the University of Buckingham which has its own degree-awarding powers. English-domiciled students attending these courses can apply for student support. The table which shows the number of approved student finance applications by English-domiciled applicants planning to study at private higher education institutions in academic year 2009/10 will be placed in the Library of the House. The figures include applications for all types of full and part time undergraduate student support and postgraduate disabled student allowance.

Higher Education: Private Sector

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which private higher education institutions are awaiting the renewal of their degree-awarding powers under the provisions of the Higher Education Act 2004.

David Willetts: There are no provisions regarding degree-awarding powers in the Higher Education Act 2004. However, since September 2004, when the criteria for degree-awarding powers and university title were changed, private higher education institutions have only been granted taught degree-awarding powers on a time-limited basis. No private higher education institutions are awaiting renewal of their powers at present; the dates of expiry are given as follows:
	
		
			   Dates 
			 College of Law 18 July 2012 
			 BBP University College of Professional Studies 31 August 2013 
			 Ashridge (Bonar Law Memorial) Trust 31 August 2014 
			 ifs School of Finance 1 January 2016

Higher Education: Private Sector

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many applications his Department and its predecessors received from BPP to use the title BPP University College.

David Willetts: The support of a Department or body specified in regulations is required before my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will consider whether to approve the use of the word "university" in the registered name of a company. Since 1 October 2009, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills is the specified Department if the company's registered office is in England and Wales; previously it was the Privy Council in all cases.
	The Privy Council received an application from BPP College of Professional Studies Ltd. in 2007 to use the term 'university college'. No further applications were received until May 2010 when the principal of the college wrote to the Department seeking support for the BPP College of Professional Studies Ltd. to change its name to BPP University College of Professional Studies Ltd.

Higher Education: Standards

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what requirements higher education institutions have to meet to have the word university in their title.

David Willetts: Higher education institutions can apply to use the word 'university' in their title if they:
	(i) have been granted powers to award taught degrees;
	(ii) normally have at least 4,000 full time equivalent higher education students, of whom at least 3,000 are registered on degree level courses (including Foundation Degree programmes); and
	(iii) are able to demonstrate that they have regard to the principles of good governance relevant to the sector.
	Higher education institutions are able to use the term 'university college' in their title if they have been granted taught degree-awarding powers, whether on a time-limited basis or indefinitely.
	In accordance with these conditions, on 15 July 2010 BPP College of Professional Studies Limited became the first non-publicly funded higher education institution with its own degree awarding powers to be given approval to use 'university college' in a change of company name to BPP University College of Professional Studies Limited.

Higher Education: Standards

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what requirement there is for the Privy Council to authorise the use of the title of university by a higher education institution.

David Willetts: The Privy Council has a duty to authorise the use of the word 'university' in publicly funded higher education institutions under section 77 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 and Section 39 of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998. The Privy Council no longer has any involvement in the approval of the word 'university' for private higher education institutions applying to use university titles under business and company names legislation. That duty passed to this Department on 1 October 2009.

Higher Education: Standards

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what process his Department followed in authorising the use by BPP of the title University College; and which Minister in his Department authorised the recommendation of this award.

David Willetts: Any applicant for the approval of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for a company to adopt a registered name that includes the word "university" must first request the specified Department to indicate whether (and if so why) it has any objections to the proposed name. If the company's registered office is in England and Wales, the specified Department is the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The application for approval must include a statement that the request has been made and be accompanied by a copy of any response received.
	In the case of the change of name of BPP College of Professional Studies Ltd. to BPP University College of Professional Studies Ltd., the chief executive of the College wrote to me on 24 May 2010 seeking my support for the word 'university' in the proposed company name. An official responded on 6 July 2010 confirming that the Department had no objection to the use of the word 'university' in the proposed new company name.
	The college subsequently sought the approval of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the change of name. This was granted and a revised certificate of incorporation issued on 15 July 2010.

Higher Education: Wales

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students from Wales began attending universities in England in each of the last five years.

David Willetts: The latest available information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is shown in the table. Figures for the 2009/10 academic year will be available in January 2011.
	
		
			  Welsh domiciled entrants( 1) , English higher education institutions( 2) , academic years 2004/05 to 2008/09 
			  Academic year  Number 
			 2004/05 9,805 
			 2005/06 10,390 
			 2006/07 9,620 
			 2007/08 9,475 
			 2008/09 9,630 
			 (1) Covers all-aged postgraduate and undergraduate entrants to full-time and part-time courses.(  2) Excludes the Open university due to inconsistencies in their coding of entrants across the time series.   Note:  Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and have been rounded to the nearest five.   Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Industrial Development Boards

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on the future structure, functions and role of industrial development boards in England; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: The role of industrial development boards is to give independent expert advice on the provision of public financial support to business and help ensure value for money for the taxpayer.
	The landscape for the provision of assistance to business is changing. The seven industrial development boards supporting regional development agencies (RDAs), which were non-departmental public bodies appointed by Ministers, were replaced by advisory panels, providing the same functions, appointed and supported entirely by the RDAs during 2009/10. The abolition of the regional development agencies (RDAs) was announced in the June Budget. The advisory panels will thus close as their relevant RDA closes.
	The Government's approach to supporting economic development below the national level will be set out in the forthcoming Sub-National Growth White Paper.
	At the national level, the Government envisage a continuing need for expert advice on large business investment decisions.

Job Creation and Vocational Training: Cumbria

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding from the public purse his Department and its predecessors have allocated to each administering organisation for the purpose of  (a) job creation and  (b) employment training in (i) Copeland constituency and (ii) Cumbria in each year since 1997.

Mark Prisk: The Department provides funding to the Northwest regional development agency (NWDA) for economic development. The funds are pooled into a single pot along with those from other contributing Government Departments.
	Expenditure cannot be attributed specifically to job creation and/or employment training. The following table shows NWDA's annual programme expenditure for Cumbria and Copeland where elements of the projects/programmes supported included job creation and/or employment training.
	
		
			  £000 
			   Cumbria sub-region  Copeland constituency 
			 1999/2000 3,256 79 
			 2000/01 4,083 410 
			 2001/02 10,436 3,492 
			 2002/03 15,368 1,506 
			 2003/04 27,287 4,475 
			 2004/05 40,861 6,637 
			 2005/06 50,778 9,602 
			 2006/07 48,128 8,993 
			 2007/08 58,366 10,488 
			 2008/09 39,794 9,043 
			 2009/10 38,742 6,625 
			 Total 337,099 61,350 
			  Note:  The first four years record expenditure on projects which were still live in 2003 when NWDA's new Programme Management System came online. Expenditure on projects which were completed prior to 2003, and captured on earlier and now redundant IT systems, is excluded.

Postcodes: Databases

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the Royal Mail on the deletion of county names from the Postcode Address File.

Edward Davey: None. Operational matters are the direct responsibility of Royal Mail's management.
	Postcomm, the postal services regulator, carried out a public consultation in 2009 which called for views on the perceived importance and use of county information in postal addresses. The findings of the consultation can be found on the regulator's website:
	www.psc.gov.uk

Property Development: Utilities

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to ensure that privately-owned utility companies provide timely service connections to new construction projects.

Richard Benyon: I have been asked to reply.
	The Water Industry Act 1991 specifies, subject to certain exceptions and conditions, the time allowed for water companies to install infrastructure, including connections to the public water supply. Timescales are as follows:
	(a) water mains within three months;
	(b) sewers within six months;
	(c) water supply connections within 21 days and subject to the proposed connection being compliant with the water fittings regulations.
	If there is a complaint from a developer against a water company, Ofwat, the economic regulator of the water and sewerage sectors in England and Wales, can take it up with the relevant company. If deadlines are not met, developers are able to pursue any losses through the courts.
	Ofwat is considering setting up a developers/development forum to share information and help address areas of contention.
	Water companies currently monitor levels of service on an informal basis. Ofwat will consider if the current informal mechanism is appropriate and robust.

Public Sector: North East

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the economic effects of public sector contracts in the North East; and what the monetary value of public sector contracts awarded in the North East was in 2009-10.

Edward Davey: holding answer 9 September 2010
	 : An assessment on the economic effects of public service contracts in the North East has not been made as the information and its monetary value are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	HM Treasury publish data on identifiable expenditure by country and region in chapter 9 of the Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/pesa_2010_chapter9.pdf

Small Businesses: Rural Areas

Andrew Bingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department plans to take to increase the level of access to credit for small businesses in rural areas.

Edward Davey: Ensuring the flow of credit to SMEs, including those in rural areas, is a core priority for the Government.
	As well as continuing to push to banks to lend to viable businesses, the Government have extended the Enterprise Finance Guarantee by £200 million to £700 million, as well as operating Enterprise Capital Funds providing equity, and taking forward the Growth Capital Fund. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs oversees the delivery of Rural Development Programme for England which aims to foster competitive and sustainable rural businesses.
	Further to this, the Government recently published the Green Paper 'Financing a private sector recovery', requesting the views from individuals, businesses and financial institutions on what they regard as the key challenges in facilitating business access to finance and the approaches that would best address these. The Government will respond to the views submitted.

Space Technology

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what UK space projects his Department is  (a) fully and  (b) partially funding; what plans he has to fund such projects in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: The Department for Business, Innovation and skills currently contributes towards a number of UK space projects through support to industry and the research community. At this time, the plan is to continue funding each project to completion.
	The UK space projects fully funded are:
	UK payloads for the ESA Exo-Mars mission; UK payloads for the ESA Cosmic Vision programme; the Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation (CEOI); and the UK Disaster Management Constellation operations.
	UK projects which are partially funded include:
	Government Information from the Space Sector (GIFTSS); underpinning GEO Action Support; CubeSat; TechDemoSat; and educational support for the school curriculum. The Department is also making a significant contribution to the costs of setting up the International Science and Innovation Centre (ISIC) and for exploitation grants in the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and the Technology Strategy Board (TSB).

Students: Accommodation

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what recent assessment officials in his Department have made of the quality of student accommodation in  (a) Hertfordshire and  (b) England and Wales;
	(2)  what meetings he has had with the National Union of Students to discuss the quality of student accommodation since his appointment.

David Willetts: I have made no assessment of the quality of student accommodation in either  (a) Hertfordshire or  (b) England and Wales, nor have I had discussions with the NUS on this matter.
	Universities are responsible for the quality of their student accommodation and have to abide by the health and safety standards in the Housing Act 2004 and are also required to sign up to one of the three codes of practice, developed by Universities UK or the Accreditation Network UK (ANUK)/Unipol, relating to the management standards of providing student accommodation.
	The 2004 Housing Act has also been instrumental in raising the management standards and physical conditions of some private rented accommodation that pose the greatest risk to the health, safety and welfare of their occupants, namely houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Many university accommodation services provide students with lists of accredited private accommodation providers who have met an agreed set of quality standards. Students can also access lists of accredited private landlords from local councils or other organisations, such as ANUK/Unipol.

Union Modernisation Fund

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for the future of the Union Modernisation Fund.

Edward Davey: I confirm that we have no plans for a further round of the Union Modernisation Fund.

Valuation Office Agency: Databases

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the  (a) name,  (b) address and  (c) size is of each (i) used and (ii) vacant space for each entry on the e-PIMS property database in April 2010.

Edward Davey: The information, recorded on the e-PIMS database as at 26 March 2010, will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Wind Power

Edward Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects on the offshore wind industry of the abolition of regional development agencies.

Edward Davey: Our proposals are for restructuring the delivery landscape for economic development. Replacing the regional development agencies (RDAs) with local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) will ensure that these partnerships better reflect the natural economic geography of the areas that they serve. Reorganising the delivery of economic development will ensure a focused targeted delivery of policy in areas where it can have the most benefit, allowing those locations which stand to benefit most from offshore wind to focus their attention on supporting the industry.
	We are currently considering proposals for LEPs, which were submitted in early September. In the meantime, we are working closely with the RDA network during the transition to minimise the impact on priority programmes including those supporting the offshore wind industry. Growing the offshore wind industry remains a priority for this Government and we will act to ensure that both inward investment and domestic firms wishing to move into this area continue to be supported.

Yorkshire Forward

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many companies in Yorkshire received funding from Yorkshire Forward between 1997 and 2010.

Edward Davey: The Department allocates budgets to regional development agencies. The agencies determine how to spend their budgets, subject to the terms of the Accountability and Financial Framework and their delegated financial authorities. RDAs' investments have been guided by the regional economic strategy and their corporate plans. The Department does not hold details of how many companies receive RDA funding.

Regional Development Agencies

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which bodies will take over from regional development agencies' responsibility for administering European regional development funds; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: I have been asked to reply.
	We are currently considering the future arrangements for running European regional development fund programmes in the regions, after the abolition of the regional development agencies, and we will make an announcement when the decision has been reached.